Scan barcode
moriahleigh's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
gladosisreading'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment
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
natalieweinberg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
01ivia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, and Murder
fpcat99's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism and Abortion
araowl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book deals with heavy themes related to sexual and physical abuse, trauma, and the gentrification of a dying Indiana city. As someone from Indiana, the way the author described the setting felt extremely accurate and hit close to home. These rust belt towns are places of rusty chain-link fences, random rubber shoes on the road, and broken glass covering every street corner. They're places where people born into poverty often never get a chance to leave. Blandine is extremely intelligent and had a rare opportunity to transcend this small town through academic achievement, but unfortunately, the effects of abuse and trauma make that kind of thing easier said than done.
Overall, every character in this book is ultimately searching for meaning and human connection. A current of loneliness and existential dread pulse through the entire story. The book is often satirically witty, and has a lot of commentary on the wildness of the internet and the detrimental effects of late-stage capitalism on both humans and the environment. I found the themes extremely resonant and thought-provoking, and the characters richly detailed and compelling. The only criticism I have is that some of the character's stories felt a little underdeveloped, but I definitely see how each and every character contributed to the overall meaning of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone that likes modern literary fiction, witty and irreverent writing, and intelligent social commentary. I'd definitely steer clear if you are sensitive to depictions of sexual abuse, violence, and trauma - or if you just prefer your fiction on the more lighthearted and plot-driven side.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness and Blood
lebouefcasey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
acorn192k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty and Drug use
alexdayhey'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
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Post-natal depression/mental illness, teacher/student sexual relationship