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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
nad_books623'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Slavery
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
sarah_speaks'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
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Animal death, Miscarriage, and Abortion
jbird_reads'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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Abortion
sydneybedell'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: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Abortion
gigisxm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/12 #bookclub
9/20 #booksbyblackfolx
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, and Abortion
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
jaylee_books'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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Murder
laurataylor'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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Colonisation