Reviews

The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson

deannab415's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is one of the best books I’ve read in 2021. A heart-breaking story of how love hurts and heals across generations that touches on race, class, and family. Must read for everyone.

sjwomack8981's review

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1.0

Slow moving with a confusing narrative.

kristen_eden's review against another edition

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5.0

This book covers a lot if different topics, which will usually annoy me, but it does so deftly. Apparently I'm on a "books a about motherhood" kick. Definitely recommend, would make a great Book Club book.

lisettemarie's review

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3.0

3.5 stars. Overall very good with some great commentary on race and class. Ending felt a little rushed and I had hoped for more of an ending with Ruth and her husband

dr_manuela_reads's review

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1.0

Read about a third of this book and cannot finish it. It is so incredibly sappy. Every line - sappy.

It has promise in that it seems it is set to be about motherhood, race, class, societal shifts. But it falls flat immediately. One of the first scenes is of a young black boy being harassed by a policeman. It was so obvious. The whole description - obvious! It could have been so much richer.

I rarely give up on a book but I could not finish this.

kriste's review

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4.0

I appreciated the race and class aspects of this book. I also appreciated the library author chat I saw w/ Nancy Johnson and Jodi Picoult.

booksandboardingpass's review

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3.0

« Just thinking of all that could crush her son before he got a good start in the world overwhelmed Ruth. She thought of both boys and how the world saw each of them in black and white how they’d be forever defined by that distinction. »

kashstephanie's review

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emotional reflective tense fast-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

nooshj's review

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

aleaa's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • 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

4.0