quietlex's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Spoiler
Marilyn from her old life being a housewife instead of a doctor, James from constant racism and his sad wife who never seems satisfied with what he can offer, Nath from being at home and disappointing his parents, and Lydia from the crushing weight her parents put on her to be exactly what the other didn’t want, being popular/fitting in vs standing out/ being different. Lydia took on the responsibility of holding her parents relationship together, trying to be everything her mother wanted, as long as she wouldn’t abandon them again. Marilyn became obsessive once she lost her chance at medical school, forcing Lydia to become everything she wanted to be and more. I cannot believe the treatment of Hannah, the poor youngest. Literally and figuratively pushed away at every turn, just trying to find her place in the family and in the world. She is the magnum opus of the family, the one reason why Marilyn was forced to come back home, the one mistake that cost her her last chance of becoming a doctor. She is the real victim in the story. The infidelity is wrapped up rather hastily, with James swearing to never speak to Louisa again, making it seem like it was purely physical, like he was only cheating because his wife wasn’t putting out. There was so much more there, with her being the literal only other Asian in town, or baking handmade treats from James’s childhood. They had been close for so long, the emotional and sexual tension was downplayed a lot. And then the reveal of how Lydia actually died, I think sums up this book overall. Drawn out, not very exciting, just a bit of a let down.Graphic: Bullying, Suicide, Abandonment, Body shaming, Injury/injury detail, Alcohol, Racism, Infidelity, and Death
chloenk_1011's review
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child death, Child abuse, Suicide, Racism, Sexual harassment, Injury/injury detail, Grief, and Death
marioosa517's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Racism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Vomit, and Injury/injury detail
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Death, Racism, Grief, Racial slurs, Infidelity, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/injury detail, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Alcohol
sunny_not's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Suicide
mariaviola's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Child death
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/injury detail, and Alcohol
atalea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child death, Xenophobia, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism, Abandonment, Racism, Infidelity, and Racial slurs
Minor: Medical content, Alcohol, Bullying, Suicide, Injury/injury detail, Death of parent, Violence, and Pregnancy
olivebleu's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Injury/injury detail and Suicide
Moderate: Child death and Racism
Minor: Abandonment
caitlineff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Injury/injury detail, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide
alaskayoung1734's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, and Injury/injury detail