alibrarymouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked Theo’s story and the way Tartt writes, but it is definitely higher level writing determined to call back to the classics. Of course, this works for the kind of story she’s telling of a boy who becomes an art dealer and everything he gets caught up in. However, from the start, it’s very intimidating; it’s definitely one that makes you think about what’s being said because there are so many words being used to say it and the format for each chapter is broken down into their own sub chapters. It’s twisty and elegant, but absolutely not a light read.
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Alcohol, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Medical trauma
Minor: Infidelity
malebrina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Murder, Bullying, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity and Vomit
jazhandz's review against another edition
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
WRT death, there's a lot of discussion of drowning.bucknife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
nabila99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Murder, Addiction, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
_rowan_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, and Mental illness
lydiajlong's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
•
This was the first fiction book I have read in a LONG time. And I love that I committed to this 700+ page adventure. Donna Tartt puts so many hard emotions and complex ideas in so many beautiful words and descriptions. You really fall for some of these characters, their faults and vices. I loved the larger discussion of life, meaning, and right and wrong. Appreciated this read and the journey Donna took us all on.
•
tw: I’d warn my younger friends of cursing, drug use, sexual content, violence, and references to death and grieving — chat with your guardian before picking this book up!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Murder, and Cursing
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
rebeccaquinton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Vomit, Violence, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Child abuse, Bullying, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Grief, Addiction, and Alcohol
e_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Some entire chapters could have stood to be shorter, or cut out entirely. I didn’t mind the part in Vegas, because it sets up the rest of the book. I just think the whole book should have been a lot shorter.
The scene in Amsterdam was also a bit confusing—although possibly intentionally so? No doubt, Donna Tartt is a genius. Her descriptions are so incredibly beautiful, and she has the ability to craft such a complex plot with apparent ease. But this book still doesn’t top The Secret History. Maybe because the characters just weren’t as compelling. For example, the time skips were confusing to me because Theo’s narration style didn’t change, and he didn’t *feel* significantly older. I did find Boris interesting as a character though.
Also, there was the incredible amount of time spent covering Theo’s increasingly concerning drug problems. As one reviewer put it, “is there anything more boring than reading about someone else’s drug habit?” It was important for the plot, I’ll give you that. But man do we spend a lot of time just reading Theo’s narration of the many drugs he tries, starting at age 12? 13?
Donna Tartt’s writing style uses first person, which I particularly enjoy, but can be off putting if you aren’t a fan of that. Overall, maybe worth the read if you are a big fan of Donna Tartt. Otherwise, save yourself the time and read something else.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Domestic abuse
lucinotlucy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Addiction
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Murder, and Gun violence