laurabunnett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, and Homophobia
friendofdorothea'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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Police brutality, Misogyny, Car accident, and Grief
britishnbroke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
vixenreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Car accident, Grief, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Medical content, Mental illness, Police brutality, Abandonment, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Homophobia, and Cursing
Minor: Classism, Vomit, Infidelity, and Abortion
Be aware that there is discussions of marriage outside of wedlock, doubt in religion, bomb threats, and abuse of power in science, education, religious institutions, and television.miciahsreads'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? It's complicated
5.0
worldbuilding - 5/1
writing - 5/1
enjoyment - 5/1
plot - 5/1
narration - 1/1
literally phenomenal novel. flawless. i’m obsessed, i’m in love, i’m floored. if i could give this more than five stars i would.
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Bullying, Car accident, Cursing, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
serenity_by_jan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The use of tropes and typecasts severely dim the ingenuity of the book. Most of the plot points can be seen from miles away, but they are still entertaining to see unfurl. Though this book touches on topics such as sexual assault, discrimination, and grief, it reads more like a fluffy beach read than an impactful piece.
Spoiler
The protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, has a genius child and an equally genius dog (the latter of which has many needless monologues of his own). Though this book lacks suspense, it does not bore. Instead, as the reader can already predict the main plot points, the book fills in the threads that lead from one event to the next.Furthermore, most of the male characters are painstakingly one-dimensional: Lazy, stupid, sexist. We are meant to be fond of Calvin Evans, Zott's partner, though the author's means of provoking this from the reader is by making him the only developed male character. This is a pitiful and cheap way to write, and probably the most disappointing theme in the book.
Finally, although this book is ostensibly feminist, the main plot diverges considerably from its empowering tone and settles resolutely in disappointing territory.
Spoiler
At last, in the final chapters of the book, the protagonist, Zott, gets her job back . . . due to her relations with a man. The whole ending to the story revolved around her late partner, Calvin Evans; though his life could have made a good story in and of itself, I read this book to see what happens to Zott, not to her partner. It seems as though the author drags you around, getting you attached to Zott, only to reveal that it was Evans' story all along. Disappointing to say the least, though it didn't completely ruin the book.Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Racism, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt
hi_mari's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexism and Rape
Moderate: Suicide attempt
quinkell98'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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Death, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Car accident
Minor: Domestic abuse
amy14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Rape, Vomit, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Death of parent, Sexism, Misogyny, Violence, Sexual violence, and Grief