dralexa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Rape, and Miscarriage
orangegirl22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, and Sexual violence
camoo3032's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
There are a lot of characters so the book can feel like a bit of whirlwind, particularly in the first chapter, and some of the topics covered could've been discussed in more depth. Regardless, I still found this book very eye opening
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Racism
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Vomit, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Death, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Alcoholism, Child death, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Police brutality, Sexism, Suicide, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Colonisation, Bullying, Classism, and Death of parent
woolgatherer's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Drug use and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Death, Slavery, and Miscarriage
bealiy'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
4.5
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
grandpabuxton'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? No
4.75
My only disappointment was I felt the epilogue was a little predictable and I wanted more from it, but not sure what.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Outing, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, Grief, Death, Deadnaming, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Classism, Transphobia, Sexual violence, Racism, Islamophobia, Incest, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Child death, and Infertility
anayyuh'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
4.25
• interesting
• didn’t really like to kumbaya ending but overall enjoyed the experience
Moderate: Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Abandonment, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Racism, Alcohol, and Infidelity
b_austridge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Rape, Deadnaming, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion, Child death, and Miscarriage
support_lesbian'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
5.0
the content can be quite explicit and graphic as just something to be aware of
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Body shaming, Bullying, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Lesbophobia, Pedophilia, Classism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Child death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Rape
hannahbailey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Generally I prefer not to read character-vignette novels written in third-person. But this novel just goes to show that when done well, I can really enjoy them! I loved the distinct voice of each character and how they would be name-dropped in one chapter only to be the main character of the next one. It built such an interesting and creative narrative without leaving me feeling I didn't know enough about them–which is usually the case for me with character-vignettes.
Surprised to see some reviews stating the character dialogue and mix of poetry/prose was hard to believe and unrealistic. I completely disagree! The inner dialogue of the female characters was relatable and familiar. I enjoyed the exploration of womanhood and motherhood and how this intersects with race in Britain. It was an interesting and sobering read.
It was almost 5 stars, but there was a part where the character overcomes drug addiction by sheer willpower–they literally stay at home for a week without any form of support and somehow recovers? This didn't feel realistic to me especially given the vulnerability and young age of the character. That said, this was one of the chapters that really stood out to me in its exploration of body/gender dysphoria and trans joy.
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Racism, Alcohol, Abortion, Addiction, Cursing, Deadnaming, Drug use, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Slavery, Transphobia, and Xenophobia