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siobhanward'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? It's complicated
3.5
This was a weird one to rate. On one hand, I liked how Gunty brought everything together in the end, but it took so long to get there that it was hard to figure out how the plots were connected and keep track of what was happening. I think Gunty was trying to do a lot in this book - tell the story of Vanty Vale, write about the characters in the apartment building, tell Blandine's story, and it was just too much for a single book. I think if Gunty had narrowed her focus a bit, it would have been a better read.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
chicagostupid's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Violence
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The writing is strong most of the time, but the story can't keep up with it. Too many side characters, whose stories don't get really elaborated and I could have really done without this totally uninteresting son of a celebrity mother.
I'm rating this a bit higher, because of the strong writing. The story gave me sadness and loneliness (which I'm totally here for), but apart from that, there wasn't enough meat to the bone for me.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use
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
rcvane'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
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
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 relationshipindigo666'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
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
rcy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Sexual assault
fkshg8465'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
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Death of parent
mklein319'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
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis