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h4ppycupcake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
utopiaandmelancholy'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
Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, and Police brutality
jennajlh'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: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
sunlit_music'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
5.0
The author outlines how a punitive justice system in society hurts poor people, including children born in prison. While the subject matter is confronting, it's necessary to talk and think about.
Father Cham (based on Bishop Myriel Bienvenue from Les Miserables) is the kind monk who takes in runaway fugitive and thief Pong (who is based on Jean Valjean). He cares for people young and old, showing that education and opportunities for work are the best ways to combat and reduce crime.
Nok, the Inspector Javert figure of the book, is honourable, honest but ruthless and thinks in black and white - until discovering
I love Pong's friendship with his best friend Somkit! Their banter is hilarious!! They look out for each other all the time. The reveal at the end on how Somkit helped Pong in the past is also heartwarming.
I also love that many poor side characters banded together to take a peaceful stand against the Governor.
All major characters are nuanced and learn to change wrong opinions over time.
The plot makes sense and is unpredictable, moving at a good pace with appropriate amounts of action and reflection.
Prose is succinct, lush, and evocative. The world shown is beautiful and fascinating, from the food, plants, and atmosphere to the architecture and religion. There's a remarkable sense of time and place, as if the book is a snapshot into the past.
The ending is uplifting and rewarding, especially after all that the main characters have suffered. It feels well earned and hard won, and you're left cheering for the main characters.
I wish there were more books like this. This book should be a classic! Books like this should be more widespread and never forgotten.
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Police brutality and Fire/Fire injury
mandkips'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
4.25
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury