Scan barcode
lenorayoder's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved this! I can see why people who come here from the movie have a problem - while the plot is similar, the characters, themes, and feeling of the book are pretty removed from the adaptation. I like both for what they are.
The magical realism, somewhat non-linear storytelling, and flawed characters with distinct personalities are real strengths of this book. The style of writing is so charming and then at times startling, it drew me in immediately and enhances the story and characters.
By the end of the book I was still irritated by Gillian, but that’s not a fault of the book - like most of the characters she’s excellently written. The characters all feel real, and if I met some of them in real life I wouldn’t like them, but that’s what makes them interesting and propels the story!
The ending of this book doesn’t wrap everything up neatly in a bow, but that’s kind of the point. Life is messy. We grow and learn and try our best, but we are imperfect. We do what we can with what we have.
The magical realism, somewhat non-linear storytelling, and flawed characters with distinct personalities are real strengths of this book. The style of writing is so charming and then at times startling, it drew me in immediately and enhances the story and characters.
By the end of the book I was still irritated by Gillian, but that’s not a fault of the book - like most of the characters she’s excellently written. The characters all feel real, and if I met some of them in real life I wouldn’t like them, but that’s what makes them interesting and propels the story!
The ending of this book doesn’t wrap everything up neatly in a bow, but that’s kind of the point. Life is messy. We grow and learn and try our best, but we are imperfect. We do what we can with what we have.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
gringuitica's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was confusing for me. I went in dark, based only on my pop culture knowledge but zero memory of the movie, which I watched decades ago.
It was nothing like what I had expected (serves me right for not reading the synopsis, which I always do!) as it was, indeed, about a very practical sort of magic. I can't even say that magic takes a backseat here; it's more out of the vehicle and traveling an entirely different, though parallel road.
I was also thrown about the time period. I grew up on the East Coast in the 80s/90s, and yet the novel's setting struck no familiar chord. It felt like the second (or third, depending on how you view it) generation of Owens women (Antonia and Kylie) were growing up in their mother's time period, not mine, so I was shocked to learn that the book was published in 1995 and assumedly takes place then, at least in the later part of the book.
All in all, it was enjoyable but not what I had hoped. In part, that's on me for not righting my own preconceived notions but in part, it's just the book itself. I'm glad I read it this Halloween season but I won't be rereading it.
It was nothing like what I had expected (serves me right for not reading the synopsis, which I always do!) as it was, indeed, about a very practical sort of magic. I can't even say that magic takes a backseat here; it's more out of the vehicle and traveling an entirely different, though parallel road.
I was also thrown about the time period. I grew up on the East Coast in the 80s/90s, and yet the novel's setting struck no familiar chord. It felt like the second (or third, depending on how you view it) generation of Owens women (Antonia and Kylie) were growing up in their mother's time period, not mine, so I was shocked to learn that the book was published in 1995 and assumedly takes place then, at least in the later part of the book.
All in all, it was enjoyable but not what I had hoped. In part, that's on me for not righting my own preconceived notions but in part, it's just the book itself. I'm glad I read it this Halloween season but I won't be rereading it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Rape
kschauer18's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
omill16's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Rape
sycamore22's review against another edition
Stopped when the two guys were chasing Kylie through the field in attempt to assault her. I watched the movie first and loved it… the book is VERY different. There were just too many descriptions of sex or sexual thoughts that felt violating for me. Like most of the sex scenes lacked consent, and Gillian’s memories of sex before Ben Fry are abusive and difficult to read. Once you’ve lived through something like that, you don’t feel any desire to read about it, in my experience. This is NOT the charming, warm-hearted, witchy story of sisterhood depicted in the movie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Rape, and Murder
Sally goes through a one year period of Grief. Gillian is physically and sexually abused by her Jimmy, which leads to her drugging and accidentally killing him. Jimmy’s drunken abuse is discussed in detail in Gillian’s memories. There are many jarring moments where men’s sexual thoughts about Gillian and Kylie (who is a minor) are graphically recounted. There is a scene where Kylie is chased through a field by two men who intend on raping her. This is where I stopped reading, but I saw in another review that she does end up escaping.part_time_dreamer's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is one of those rare cases of the movie being better then the book. The premise of the novel is really enticing, yet the execution isn't what you would expect. It really is a slice of life sort of book that doesn't really revolve around a main plot point or antagonist. It simply dives into the Owens sisters life, how the two main sisters grew up and who they became, and the slow development of their character arc when a bigger plot point occurs that steers their paths back into each others life again. Anyone interested in a slice of life, semi-magical, and down to Earth story, this is the book to go. It isn't bad, but it isn't as much the whimsical story many people might seek especially if they watched the movie prior to picking this book up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
At one point a character is almost caught by men intending to do ill towards her, the scene is a bit distressing and takes account her point of view as well as fear if the men had caught her.sulfurandbrimstone74's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
agrandreflection's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
How is this a classic? I have never seen so much subversive feminine power subsumed into toxic patriarchal bullshit.
This is not the feminine empowerment I'm looking for. This is homesteading through folk cures to appease your sex craved husband (who is only slightly less problematic than the literal murderer you may or may not have escaped from).
I get that it's a bit of a product of it's time, but geez. This is not empowering. This upholds limiting gender norms, and has a small view of what thriving looks like for men and women alike. Hell, for all the romance littered throughout, it's also got a miniscule vision of love itself. We deserve better examples than this.
One extra star for the good use of lightning as metaphor tho.
This is not the feminine empowerment I'm looking for. This is homesteading through folk cures to appease your sex craved husband (who is only slightly less problematic than the literal murderer you may or may not have escaped from).
I get that it's a bit of a product of it's time, but geez. This is not empowering. This upholds limiting gender norms, and has a small view of what thriving looks like for men and women alike. Hell, for all the romance littered throughout, it's also got a miniscule vision of love itself. We deserve better examples than this.
One extra star for the good use of lightning as metaphor tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Murder
ce_read's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I was raised on the movie so it's hard not to compare the two. The writing could be a bit hoakey and ham-fisted for me at times, but ultimately compelling and entertaining. I second some other reviews that said some characters were introduced abruptly or not well-enough developed, and of there were themes or plot devices, I didn't pick up on them. Not my usual fare
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
chasingpages1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail