The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rieviolet'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? It's complicated
4.5
From a narrative standpoint, I think that Saul's story was very well structured and paced; also, his voice and emotional landscape were explored and captured on the page very vividly and movingly.
The writing is quite understated and matter-of-fact, and while I didn't mind this pared-back style and still found it impactful, it might not click with you if you usually prefer something more flowery and elaborate.
As you progress with the narration, you understand more and more clearly the significant role that hockey plays in Saul's personal journey. Still, I'm not really a sports person and, in all honesty, the parts with more detailed descriptions were not the most interesting to get through.
This is a very heart-wrenching book and it does not shy away from depicting horrific child abuse and its lasting impact or the pervasive societal racism, but it never does so gratuitously.Â
Despite all, it still ends on a hopeful note, focusing on the possibility of recovery and the healing force of a supportive community.Â
Graphic: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Suicide, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Blood, Mental illness, and Torture
wifeslife'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: Confinement, Suicide, Death, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
pickett22'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Murder, Colonisation, Child death, Rape, Racism, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Grief, Excrement, Death of parent, Death, and Alcohol
sydfreeman'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
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Murder, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Racism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Excrement, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Racism, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Suicide, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Abandonment
julienicole1106'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? No
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Excrement, Grief, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Cultural appropriation, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
gulalei'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Suicide
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Rape, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault
belle2008's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Abandonment, Violence, Addiction, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
litwithnik'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
4.0
Saul's relationship with Hockey is in the forefront of this novel but as you read farther into it and discover more about his life the reason why the game is so important to him becomes very evident. There is also some beautiful scenes of him starting the journey in recapturing his relationship with his Indigenous roots. Especially the parts about Gods Lake.
Trigger Warnings: Residential School, Racism, Sexual Assault, Physical & Emotional AbuseÂ
Graphic: Racism, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
jennifer8632d's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide