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bentoush's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Toxic friendship
lindsayerin'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
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
emmas_bookshelf'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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
spacescape'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
3.25
This book is an example of why I have a difficult time reading novels. After finishing & reflecting, there is one main character whom didn't need to exist at all, which would have cut out many unnecessary and shock-value pages. A letter to this individual--several pages on its own--could have been struck with it. Additionally, a particular argument between two other main characters is completely nonsensical.
I'll pause here to add some positive things: the setting of a dying Midwest town is perfect (even though a street-level description for part of the town only comes at the end, confusingly). The ideas of gentrification, the Midwest, mental disorders of several varieties, living far too deep in one's own head, drug abuse, and economic challenges are very well-woven into the whole story.
The ultimate frustration is that this novel could be a good 25% shorter, which would have made it better. Longer does not equal better, writers!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug abuse and Abandonment
tangerinetea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape, and Abandonment
mrslsmith's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Drug use
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
katiewhocanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault