chrisljm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Confinement
Moderate: Gore, Grief, Animal death, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Death, and Excrement
karwc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Minor: Sexual content and Violence
abrdoodle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Animal death, and Infidelity
Minor: Death and Grief
rachelditty'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
4.25
I really loved Lettie's relationship with our narrator, and it wasn't until I finished the book and there was an excerpt from a podcast interview with Gaiman that it registered that we never learn the narrator's name! That pulled the rug out from under me so thoroughly, I never would have noticed if someone else hadn't said it. I loved the Hempstocks and their mysterious abilities. The terms and procedures they do are so creative and unique. It was so fun to watch them work.
The ending was really something, too.
Spoiler
Having our narrator go back to the ocean and remember, thanking Lettie for what she did, only to bring the dishes back to the house and ask Old Mrs. Hempstock to say hi to Lettie when she comes back from Australia. It's an ending I expected to be sad about because he doesn't remember, but it felt so content, and I was glad he didn't remember, living on for Lettie and her sacrifice for him.Some quotes I liked:
"You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try to be worth it." (5:20:55)
"'You don't pass or fail at being a person, dear.'" (5:36:13)
I'll definitely have to pick up more of Gaiman's work in the future. This is the second book of his I've read, and I've really enjoyed both! What a great writer.
Moderate: Body horror and Suicide
Minor: Death, Animal death, Violence, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
coffeedog14's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Body horror, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, and Grief
irinalast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Physical abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
thebookpaiges's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Suicide
nzmerchant's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Bullying
gxsobes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence and Animal death
eddiroll'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death