maritahass89's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kayfenn6's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
emilyervin's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. I have come to realize books that weave through generations painting a picture by telling story after story are something that holds a special place in my heart. This book does that so well.
Britt Bennett did a great job of telling Stella’s and Desiree’s stories that took very different turns, but ultimately more similar than we'd think in the end. This story depicted racism and colorism, explored intricate identity issues (racial and sexual), and considered the impact of choices on the following generations. The reader gets the chance to have a glimpse into what it means to live in a world that comes with complex assumptions about a person based on color. I really loved the relationship between Jude and Kennedy. It felt like a weird dance in which both her pushing and pulling in their own ways, but both ultimately wanting to be connected and known in community. I struggled with the end, maybe underwhelming compared to the entire book, but appreciated the space this book held for the reader to learn, ask questions about some complex topics that exist right beside us every single day. This would be a great book to buddy read as it provides a lot of space for discussion.
Glad to have read and enter into this space.
Britt Bennett did a great job of telling Stella’s and Desiree’s stories that took very different turns, but ultimately more similar than we'd think in the end. This story depicted racism and colorism, explored intricate identity issues (racial and sexual), and considered the impact of choices on the following generations. The reader gets the chance to have a glimpse into what it means to live in a world that comes with complex assumptions about a person based on color. I really loved the relationship between Jude and Kennedy. It felt like a weird dance in which both her pushing and pulling in their own ways, but both ultimately wanting to be connected and known in community. I struggled with the end, maybe underwhelming compared to the entire book, but appreciated the space this book held for the reader to learn, ask questions about some complex topics that exist right beside us every single day. This would be a great book to buddy read as it provides a lot of space for discussion.
Glad to have read and enter into this space.
lostcapricorn's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
wordsonthepaige's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kipepeo's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
This was a great story! Lots of depth and conversations I didn’t expect, and the characters were beautifully written. My only gripe is that the book didn’t quite feel complete? It could’ve used an extra 40 pages to wrap it all up a bit better, but other than that, good book!
starlight_1313's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Dementia, Sexual content, and Death of parent
honeyland's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75