hirachelhigh's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping and Child abuse
Moderate: Violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape
alliecrosson203'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Injury/injury detail, Grief, Confinement, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment and Addiction
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug use
ejanep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Rape, and Suicide
isleoflinds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Torture, Racism, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Sexual assault, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Sexism, Racial slurs, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Outing, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Addiction, Biphobia, Child death, Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Confinement, and Domestic abuse
disquiet's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
Minor: Vomit and Rape
alisonvh'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Ableism, Blood, Eating disorder, Suicide, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Self harm
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Chronic illness, Rape, and Vomit
hilaryreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape
chrissymccue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jessamine Chan's debut novel is a dystopian examination of government overreach, surveillance, artificial intelligence, race, class, and modern parenting expectations.
As a middle class mom, this book shook me to my core. Forget monsters and ghosts, the real fears that live in my nightmares were found in these pages. Chan perfectly encapsulates the spiraling anxiety associated with our society's expectation of perfect mothering. Frida, the other mothers, and the fathers unveil the real racial, class, and sexist underpinnings of the state's ideal parent.
If this book is not nominated for all the book awards this year, I'd be shocked. Chan tackles so much in this heartwrenching portrayal.
Graphic: Suicide, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
lex_g's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Kidnapping
noblepanda'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? It's complicated
4.75
For me, upon arrival at the school is where the story really started and I literally couldn’t put it down. The double standards here (and throughout, to be fair) were palpable and entirely reflective of society. The character of Gust was so well written, and he’s so sickly sweet. I felt like I understood Frida and felt for her throughout. The relationships were real and the picture built up of each individual character was believable. Reading this was an experience. The cruelty, the relationship between Frida and Emmanuelle, the impossible jigsaw and framework of what it takes to be deemed a good mother. How hard it is for society as a whole to view anyone as that. So much commentary on motherhood, womanhood, girlhood, plus those things set against fatherhood and boyhood in some respects; yet, at the same time a completely engaging read. I’m really glad I read this but it is not a light read! And maybe not the BEST book to pick up immediately after you’ve had a child, like I did!
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault