ok7a'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
4.25
Graphic: Torture, Slavery, Trafficking, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape and Grief
saoirsem'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, and Racism
corngod31'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: Violence, Confinement, Physical abuse, Racism, Murder, Rape, Racial slurs, Slavery, Grief, Death, and Colonisation
rybly'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
3.75
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
vedpears'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Kidnapping, Police brutality, Murder, Death, Racism, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Injury/injury detail, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
Moderate: Sexual assault, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Death of parent, Cursing, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Gun violence
Minor: Gore
readbycarina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Racism, Violence, Slavery, Grief, Physical abuse, Confinement, Rape, Child death, and Torture
Moderate: Colonisation, Suicide, Racial slurs, Death, Stalking, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy
lizardcha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
kcbatts's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Slavery and Racism
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape
waybeyondblue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Violence, Trafficking, and Slavery
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
schausjk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Spoiler
In particular, the way he kept emphasizing that he remembered everything got pretty old.That being said, I did very much enjoy the magical realism aspect of the book once it became fully fleshed out in the latter portion of the book. It would have been nice to have seen that more gradually and thoughtfully woven in throughout the story, as much of the story felt far removed from it. I've seen some reviewers suggest that the magical realism portion could have been removed entirely to make the story more cohesive, but I disagree as I found it to be the most compelling part of the novel.
Overall I'm very glad I stuck with this one. I do plan on reading more of Coates' nonfiction work, as his writing style does seem well-suited to that type of writing.
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
Moderate: Torture, Confinement, Rape, Racial slurs, and Violence