Scan barcode
munchie07's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars; The writing in this book was very beautiful. It tackles a lot of heavy issues, yet some of it felt emotionally disconnected.
amberguenette's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lizthescaredycat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was not at all expecting that ending.
It was a good read. Not thrilling or super engaging, but it makes you feel for the kids and for many of the characters.
It was a good read. Not thrilling or super engaging, but it makes you feel for the kids and for many of the characters.
elisevman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jsmney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual violence
abbie_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.5
I have to admit I found this book, particularly as an audiobook, a tad dull. It’s very much tell and no show, full of mostly dialogue and ‘action’ (such as it is), without much insight into the characters’ inner lives or motivations. This is most likely since it’s told from the POV of a child, Eddie, a Syilx boy growing up in the 50s. Isaac explores the lives of Indigenous people through Eddie’s eyes - precarious work, addiction, racism, lack of care from the government for their basic necessities. But the story kind of just plods along, lacking a pull. This changed at the ending - that ending did have my heart in my throat.
As the title suggests, definitely a quiet but heavy read, and perhaps audio wasn’t the best route.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
richy_qu33r_readzz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
2.25
Too much unnecessary animal deaths and jokes about animal harm.
The theme was only lightly threaded and not the cozy book I expected. Felt disjointed in places, but maybe that’s designed to feel like memories.
The theme was only lightly threaded and not the cozy book I expected. Felt disjointed in places, but maybe that’s designed to feel like memories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, and Violence
katsudon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A good listen. It kept me interested for the most part.
bookmarkedbybritt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Sometimes a book finds you, and you 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 you were always meant to read it. All the Quiet Places was one of those books for me. I am definitely not surprised that it has received the accolades that it has, and is deserving of every one.
Beginning in 1956, All the Quiet Places is the coming-of-age story of Eddie Toma. He exclusively narrates this story from the tender age of 6 until his teen years as we navigate through reservation life, Residential Schools, PTSD, and the post-colonial world of Canada’s Indigenous population with increasing awareness.
For many, this will not be an easy read, but it is beautiful and so carefully written. You’ll watch through Eddie’s eyes as his life is affected by the choices of the adults around him, and how, in turn, those adults are affected by the Indian Agents that keep them staunchly oppressed. Reading this through a child’s eyes, a child who becomes more and more aware of what their future of oppression looks like, is gut-wrenching. The self- realization of a colonized child will forever stay in my heart in its heart-breaking honesty.
Truthfully, even though this is a historical fiction, so many of these EXACT challenges still face the Indigenous populations of Canada today. The systemic racism and oppression of these communities is so deep-seated and government is resistant to create lasting change lest they upset the status quo.
As always, for Canadians especially, it is so important to read hard and uncomfortable truths such as this. The better we understand, the more likely our sympathy becomes empathy, and our empathy can become action. 🧡
Beginning in 1956, All the Quiet Places is the coming-of-age story of Eddie Toma. He exclusively narrates this story from the tender age of 6 until his teen years as we navigate through reservation life, Residential Schools, PTSD, and the post-colonial world of Canada’s Indigenous population with increasing awareness.
For many, this will not be an easy read, but it is beautiful and so carefully written. You’ll watch through Eddie’s eyes as his life is affected by the choices of the adults around him, and how, in turn, those adults are affected by the Indian Agents that keep them staunchly oppressed. Reading this through a child’s eyes, a child who becomes more and more aware of what their future of oppression looks like, is gut-wrenching. The self- realization of a colonized child will forever stay in my heart in its heart-breaking honesty.
Truthfully, even though this is a historical fiction, so many of these EXACT challenges still face the Indigenous populations of Canada today. The systemic racism and oppression of these communities is so deep-seated and government is resistant to create lasting change lest they upset the status quo.
As always, for Canadians especially, it is so important to read hard and uncomfortable truths such as this. The better we understand, the more likely our sympathy becomes empathy, and our empathy can become action. 🧡