chilly_librarian's review
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The structure of Francie is really interesting and the prose are just beautiful. I think this book will really land for many readers. It’s dark, sad and moody. It deals with mental illness, unemployment, addiction, neglect, and poverty in an authentic way. The grit of this book is striking and it foregoes even suggesting the possibility of a happy ending. It’s as literary as it gets so the plot is slow. We go forward and back through time and are offered the perspective of all those surrounding the incident. Francie is a real work of literary art that captures many of the issues rampant in Canadian suburbia without sensationalizing or romanticizing neglect and abuse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Gun violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Fatphobia
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