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juliabristow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was an interesting story, and was worth it to pass the time, but not much more than that. Much of the book doesn't appear to add much to the story - there are loads and loads of childhood stories and background that could have been cut. A handful would be acceptable for character development and context, but that line was crossed at at least the 50% mark.
There are parts where it kind of gives white-saviorism which I definitely already knew about the author, but now that I'm older was much more noticeable and much more cringy. I listened to this on audiobook and I just simply don't think we need to be making white narrators say the n-word regardless of the context. They also could have put slightly more effort into finding a narrator that actually had a southern accent instead of whatever atrocity that was
Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Death, Incest, Infidelity, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and War
ap1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail
chyneyee's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I strongly dislike the main character Tom because he has full of unfunny jokes, self-pity, and is an egotistical person. In fact, there are no loveable characters in this story, and Luke probably is the only one that can be slightly more acceptable than others. I feel Savannah is very observant and sees more things than others in the family. It's a family tragedy, or according to Savannah in the story, it's a very screwed-up family. Both Luke and Savannah are fighters but not Tom.
I'm very conflicted and in a dilemma in rating this book. It's a good story if ignoring the racist and sexist jokes plus long-winded details, which deserves a 4 out of 5. But I don't like wordy books, and I don't like most of the characters, especially Tom. Maybe it's 3.5 out of 5?
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Antisemitism and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt
martinelecorff's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”
Thus starts this tale.
A story of a man who wants to save his thrice suicide attempting twin sister and in doing so with the help of her therapist, and in the midst of a quasi-divorce, ends up saving himself by recounting the amazing and terrible upbringing in an idillic island on the marshes of Colleton South Carolina, of his incredible and brutal family, the raging abusive veteran father, the deceitful cunning mother, the pious good hearted grandfather, the adventurer passionate grandmother, his strong and beautiful older brother - the prince of tides, his twin the artist, the genius, the mad, and of himself and his terrible fault of trying to be conforming and sane amidst insanity.
The words are poetry and they take you down the path of Tom Wingo and his love for the south and his family, even when there’re as many reasons to love and to hate it.
The racist south, that is also so homecoming, the beautiful marshes, the oysters and shrimp always on the table, the otters and dolphins, the sunsets, the salty and tanned skin, the brine and mud, the wonderful nature, and the isolation that can be peaceful and treacherous.
One of my favourite things is the desperate honest need Tom has to be helped, and how finally he gets the will to procure it and be better, and fix himself as best he can.
A road to beauty, joy, hate, love, brutality, violence, love, madness and fantasy. It was a joy and wonder to follow this road through the author’s words, and I can’t wait to read more from him.
P. S.: some may say it has a lot of purple prose but for me it is just poetic and wonderful, able to conjure all the feelings.
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Antisemitism and War