mattyvreads's review against another edition
- 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
Zora Neale Hurston’s words are pure poetry. The story is a beautiful and complex character study, above all else. I would not change a thing. Who would?
Scholars agree that it is one of the finest books ever written, but since I am not a scholar, I’ll simply say that it is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Rape, Gun violence, Slavery, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Terminal illness, and Mental illness
melodyramirez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Classism, Cursing, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
sshabein'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: Animal death, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Gun violence
joensign'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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Slavery
bringmybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
The audio of this novel is absolutely stunning and I cannot recommend it highly enough - Ruby Dee does a phenomenal job narrating Janie's voice and story and I was swept up in the novel from pretty much the first chapter.
I loved the exploration of race, family, and community in the post slavery American South, and had a lot to think about upon finishing this book. I appreciated the vernacular that was used throughout, but definitely think I would have struggled with this had I not been listening to the audio.
Janie's story was heartbreaking but also so beautiful and full of hope. I both loved and hated how things turned out at the end, and can absolutely see why this novel and Zora Neale Hurston's writing has stood the test of time.
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Racism, Slavery, Animal death, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death, Racial slurs, and Terminal illness
queenkath32's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death and Death
mlovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Slavery
sydneylount'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
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Slavery
taviarz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexism, Death, Racial slurs, Terminal illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Rape and Animal death
ekg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Animal death, Murder, Rape, Animal cruelty, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death
Minor: Slavery