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tifftastic87's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The characters are incredibly two dimensional. We don't know enough about them to really care as the narrator is telling us back conversations and she doesn't really like anyone other than her younger brother, who is maybe around 10? The only real character we get info about is the younger brother, Jack, who gets a bible as a gift and sees it as a metaphor for everything happening.
The themes in here are kind of unclear, or heavy handed. It was clear there is a climate crisis and we can blame the older generation and the wealthy for that. However, the conversation never really happens anymore than at a childish level of "you did this!" There was a current of biblical stuff which was... unusual?
Lastly, there was only one character who was described as having "olive toned skin" and he was the character that took the most abuse from the plot. There was a lot of fat-phobia as well that was just unnecessary.
Content Warning that isn't an option in the drop down
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Racism
reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
shaziareads'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
3.75
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, and Drug use
deedireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
TL;DR REVIEW:
A Children’s Bible was a strange read, but no doubt masterful. Short, unsettling, and apocalyptic, I can see why it was a National Book Award contender.
For you if: You like literary and/or apocalyptic novels.
FULL REVIEW:
I picked up A Children’s Bible because it was longlisted for the National Book Award. While I wouldn’t quite call it a fun read, I can absolutely appreciate its mastery and resonance, and I’m glad I read it.
The story is about a group of children whose wealthy families have gathered in a big country house for the summer. The kids are unsettlingly mature (which is more of a story device than realistic, but is actually really interesting in the way it positions their partying parents as less irresponsible — particularly given the book’s focus on climate change and impending disaster). Then a storm blows through, and what’s essentially the end of the world begins.
It’s a super-short novel at only about 200 pages, and it’s extremely unsettling, but written in a detached, x-ray like style that’s also really effective. All in all, a fascinating read from a literary perspective, and I can definitely see why some people thought it might win the Pulitzer.
Pick this one up if you like weird, literary books!
Graphic: Animal death and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
bugmanreads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content