laurren's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Racial slurs
_shonahenderson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Body shaming, Stalking, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Classism, Death, Murder, Racial slurs, and Violence
laurenleigh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is one of those novels where there’s very little action, but there’s just something about it that engrossed me. A sign of very good writing, and an especially good translation! The way this narrator looks at the world is both unique and relatable. The part where the girls learn about the recent past and its atrocities (WWII, fascism, etc.) is really sticking out in my mind. I didn’t read in print, but there’s a poignant line about suddenly recognizing that every place and custom and institution is rooted in history from before your birth, for better or for worse. I can’t do it justice in a quick recap! I’d argue the 1950’s and 60’s are often mythologized here in America, and I found it fascinating to see a new perspective on that time period, in a more rural Italian setting. That these girls were in adolescence and had never been in a car! Wild. I don’t think I’m desperate to start the sequel right away, if at all, but I thought this novel was very well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Racial slurs
renjamin's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I love books from the perspective of children, so I felt like this was right up my alley. I really like that the kids in this book are horrible because sometimes, in real life, kids are horrible. I think it's so interesting to hear their innocent and ignorant viewpoints whilst copying the violent and cruel behaviour of their parents. I thought that the class commentary was interesting and well thought out. I loved the contrast between Linu and Lilas stories and how we were able to see stories from a variety of different perspectives through Linu. Like everyone else has said, this book is very slow, almost painfully at times but, I think it is worth it in the end. I think listening to the audiobook greatly enhanced my experience of this book, I don't think I would've enjoyed this half as much in physical form. The audiobook is so well narrated and the characters have such distinct voices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Bullying
Minor: Racial slurs and Homophobia
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