srjennings'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Slavery and Torture
Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Violence, Rape, and Death
jzmnz'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Slavery and Kidnapping
Moderate: Torture, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Murder, Rape, and Racism
apocalyptus'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
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Rape
cakrolik'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Slavery, Classism, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
lizsurber'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, Racism, Rape, and Trafficking
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
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
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
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
rai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Genocide, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, War, Confinement, Death, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence
liesbethvv'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
4.0
I was completely surprised by the magical realism in this story and it took me a while to get used to it. Once I was on board with the concept of
Graphic: Violence and Slavery
Moderate: Torture, Racism, Racial slurs, and Grief
Minor: Sexual violence, Death of parent, Murder, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexism, Confinement, and Abandonment