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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
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
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
abisnail564's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Abortion
theflowergarden'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
1.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape
ashar_allaire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I genuinely did love this book overall and the opening chapter was the most beautiful opening chapter I have ever read. The prose is unique and powerful. I would recommend it with the warning that it is dense and difficult to keep track of at times.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Stalking, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
mmccombs's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
jabakken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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