faith99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity
ohgull's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Murder
waytoomanybooks'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For what it's worth, the movie follows the book to a tee!
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, Grief, and Murder
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Infidelity
ginzura'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
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Hate crime, Violence, Toxic friendship, Racism, Racial slurs, and Grief
katievh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Death
Minor: Murder, Infidelity, and Death of parent
megelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Death, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Bullying, and Adult/minor relationship
giselareads'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
indiaautumn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder
loverofeels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Murder