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jrow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Homophobia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Outing
fionamclary'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
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit
ventenne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Suicide, and Vomit
gothbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was just as obsessed with this book as the characters were, and I found the religious focus quite interesting as it provided a very real guide into Laura's ultimate devotion to Virginia. The author did a superb job keeping the plot almost hidden until about 70% of the way in where I questioned the direction the book was about to go.
I did find the beginning--and most of the dialogue--to be quite repetitive, but upon finishing the book I wonder if it was intentional all along: Virginia's rhetoric had to be repeated over and over until Laura, and the boys, believed in it, too. In a way I believe the reader is a part of Virginia's inner circle, slowly being indoctrinated until the end.
I was pleasantly surprised by The World Cannot Give and wish I could have read about Laura and Virginia's relationship until I began to question my own reliability as a reader.
Thank you Simon & Schuster, Tara Isabella Burton, and NetGalley for allowing me access this advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: Vomit and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder
breeburkitt'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
4.0
Author Tara Isabella Burton does a fantastic job at ensnaring the reader in the New England boarding school, St. Dunstan's right along with Laura Stearns. Laura comes to the school in search of a life worth living, following the steps of alumni Sebastian Oliver, who authored her favorite book. She soon finds a spot in the school's church choir and within the snare of its leader, Virginia Strauss. Laura is a passive witness caught in the whiplash of Virginia's descent. It's a captivating story of obsession — from multiple parties — that takes a dark turn about halfway through the book that I never anticipated. The ending itself is unexpectedly dark, and yet so beautifully fitting.
As always, thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest review.
4.25/5
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Vomit
svmreads'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Self harm, Blood, and Alcohol