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joanna_banana'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
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Mental illness, Car accident, Abortion, and Pregnancy
ariannalane'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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction and Abortion
Minor: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
christina85'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
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Grief, Abortion, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship and War
lindsey_bear'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
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Alcohol, and War
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
greatexpectations77'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
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Abortion
aidrielle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abortion, Cultural appropriation, and Classism
hannakutlu'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
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abortion
laurenw's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Terminal illness, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
witmol'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
4.0
The first two-thirds of the book therefore feel over-indulgent as Viv reminisces about her youth. Gilbert makes certain that all the threads of this pre-WWII segment do actually connect with the character in question, entertainingly so, but in some regards it's easy to lose the facade of a letter in its lengthy diversions. This is not to say the novel lags. It canters along with Gilbert delivering vivid prose, and a distinct sense of place. While we don't get to 'see' much of New York through descriptions, we 'feel' it through a young Vivian instead.
When we do get to Viv meeting Angela's father, by comparison it feels anti-climactic. Viv has already described other characters in such great detail and with some effervescence that this character, while well drawn, feels distant and ancillary rather than central to her life. In short, the narrative here feels as if Viv is trying to convince us (and Angela) that her father was one of the most important figures in her life. It's the 'trying to convince' part that grates especially, particularly as the denouement does have a deep and abiding message about the nature of friendship and the value of being with someone and accepting the truth of each other without judgement.
Gilbert's expert handling of plot and pace, together with her witty writing, however, do make this a worthwhile read, and I'm more than pleased that she continues to write interesting female characters who do not need a partner to make them interesting.
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Abortion, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War