Reviews tagging 'Racism'

So Happy for You by Celia Laskey

5 reviews

rachaelwho's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Gosh. Parts of this were so, so good. And parts of it were a huge mess-- over-explained, on-the-nose in a way that didn't seem arch or intentional, overwrought. You could see the wires in a bad way, especially with the unrealistic oversharing body/toilet stuff that she clearly REALLY wanted to work in, but I was kinda ready to forgive that bc the overall story was fun and clever. But then the last three or so chapters were a real disappointment. I think this book was maybe doing too much and it got away from her. I hope her next one is tighter, she can write and is really creative! I wanted to like the whole book as much as I liked most of the beginning, even the first 2/3 maybe, and it bummed me out to cool on it in the end.
Also, for all its handholding, I'm not sure the book managed to say "patriarchy" a single time, which beggars belief-- both bc Robin would absoLUTELY say it and bc it's clearly on the author's mind and she is so very not above beating a dead horse.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Racism, Blood, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Vomit and Abandonment

readwithbells's review against another edition

4.0

Chaos incarnate. I think you have to have a really particular set of political beliefs in order to enjoy the satire this book sets up. I cackled the whole way through it, it was hilarious (especially as I was on the plane home from my best friends wedding which I was officiating). I’m writing this review a month later and honestly I forgot I even read this book but it was really fun in the moment. A great bingeable read for the plane. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Homophobia and Murder

Minor: Racism

kellyreadingbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective tense 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

I can completely see why this book isn’t for everyone. And honestly, after reading this book I can see how I’m not everyone’s cup of tea either, and come to find more peace with it. This book is brilliant and addictive. It’s almost this dystopian world of weddings- brides have gotten crazy doing “charms” for their weddings to bring their marriages longevity like sacrificing rabbits and carrying sage and garlic bouquets down the aisle. Robin is a queer badass professor writing a dissertation on this craze when she’s asking to be maid of honor for her “basic bitch” PSL loving best friend Ellie from high school. Besides this strange movement of the government out to endorse weddings and increase the population being an intriguing plot point, I loved Robin. I loved the messiness of her strong opinions and boundary crossing for the things she believes in. She’s such a real and fascinating character to follow. I related so much to her not being able to let things go and harboring repressed emotions for years. This is a book about female friendship and toxicity that can follow it. It’s about societal expectations and gender politics. Beginning this book, everything is so black and white through Robins eyes and then we slowly as a reader follow along Robin seeing how everything is in fact, gray. This is definitely an atypical thriller that is so much more than the premise. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death and Toxic friendship

Minor: Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Medical trauma, and Death of parent

fluffy1st's review against another edition

dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Death of parent

imstephtacular's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Abortion, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Vomit, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy