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literary_lyette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Slavery, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicide, Blood, and Abortion
canascorner'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Miscarriage, Racism, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
hamstringy'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
I do agree with some reviews I read that his growth at times can feel a little too straightforward, but I also don’t think it really pulled me out of the story.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
This book is amazing, heartbreaking, and honest. The pain and reality that Daniel taps into is so deep and vibrant you know that he’s lived and overcome just like others have, just like his characters have, just like others will in the future. B E A U T I F U L writing. I annotated so many beautiful lines along the moments where I hurt so hard for everyone, what the lost, what they could have had, and the loneliness they felt. I knew this book was a 5 star read when I cried during the authors note in the beginning, but the letters (and the 20 minutes of crying post reading this novel) solidified it. Black is an auto-buy author now. But I will not read anything else from him until I emotionally recover from this one.sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
update: 1 hour later
I had book club and discussed this book with some really cool friends. After talking it out I can see where the author was going with this book. I think my take away is that we should give Black men grace and understand when it comes to the ways they show up in our lives. Some of them might not know the "typical" ways to show love so they show love in the only ways they know.
I'm giving this a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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This book is ultimately about generational trauma and Black boy and manhood.
The main character wasn't likeable at all and I didn't like how terrible the main character was. With each confession I just became more and more irritated with the book and him. He was somewhat a grey area character, but to me he was just an unlikeable asshole.
He often complained that he wanted his child to "be a man" and be confident and have strength but every chance the main character has at reaching out to his child to reconcile their relationship, he shys away. So now he's the meek one? Yeah, I don't like that hypocrisy, with as much grief as he gave his son for not acting like "a man", he could have stood up and "been a man" when it came to connecting with his son.
I felt sorry for his family because they had to deal with him. I understand that he is trying to learn and do better as a person, he's so unlikeable that I don't care if he's trying to become a better person. I'm trying to be understanding to his character but it's hard for me.
My friends felt more sympathy than I did for the main character and maybe you will too.
I'm giving this a 3 out of 5 stars.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Outing
cc_shelflove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Child death
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Blood
themillennialjareads'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Suicide
random19379'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
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Hate crime, Rape, and Slavery
Minor: Suicide
evilyn'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
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Slavery, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicide, and Transphobia
danileah07's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty and Abortion