katewhite77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is quite a commitment in both length and graphic content so won't be for everyone, but if you feel able to commit then it will give you a really good story whilst also teaching you something of the history of the USSR. In particular through the eyes of thè female line of a fictitious Georgian family.
However it really does not shy away from the brutality of life behind the iron curtain and tells a tragic tale in many particularly given the geopolitical situation we find ourselves in at the moment.
Please proceed with exstreame caution if you are struggling with your mental health. I don't know whether I would have started the journey had I been fully armed with the facts before doing so but I was too gripped to stop once I had started. A masterpiece.
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Grief, Drug use, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Cultural appropriation, Violence, War, Torture, Cancer, Child death, Death, Sexual violence, Murder, Genocide, and Drug abuse
mansinnikam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Classism, Suicide attempt, Torture, War, Grief, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Miscarriage, Murder, Self harm, Infidelity, Mental illness, Police brutality, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Violence
tabitha_isabelle's review against another edition
1.5
One more thing (that hardly needs saying) a book focusing on a family in the Soviet Union in the 20th century does not need an additional something that brings people misfortune or bad luck - terrible things were happening anyway! The magical hot chocolate was redundant.
On the whole a dissatisfying read.
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence