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madison_gleason's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
waywardtapper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Sexual assault
sierrabowers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
bookobsessednow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I saw a fan edit of Elizabeth and Calvin for the TV show adaptation. I fell in love with it and found out it was from a book. The story switches povs and gives insight on how all the characters are involved, especially surrounding Calvin and of course Elizabeth. Through Elizabeth eyes and the women in the story, we see how women were underestimated and was expected to be within certain traditional societal roles. It is kinda funny as Elizabeth agrees to cook for the tv show and a man STILLS calls the shot even though "being in the kitchen is supposed to a woman's job". The women also partook in the misogynistic ideals, almost to the point bullying (Ms Mudd, i hate you. How sad for a full grown adult to go after a literal child) Sadly there are segsual harassment and assault mentioned, where the women spoke of it happening to them. This also occurred where the perpetrators was men in power or simply the next door husband. There are also themes of abuse, work discrimination, and everything we know of society back in 1950s-1960s. It definitely doesn't give us full on reparations and the ending we want, especially for Elizabeth and Madeline. Besides from them, we also get a glimpse into Calvin's past and how even he had his rough childhood. I just wanted him to get the childhood and parents he wanted and deserved (tbh literally any child). At least we see that Madeline gets to know his mom
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
ashcanpete'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
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Suicide
peachybee53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I would advise anyone with a history of sexual assault to tread lightly with this one, but otherwise think the dry humour and darkness balance each other out well. The way Zott & Calvin fell in love gave me 'the ick,' and I thought that Calvin's family storyline and the rushed ending took away from it a bit.
Favourite quotes:
"Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do."
"I think [religion] teaches us that nothing is really our fault; that something or someone else is pulling the strings; the ultimately, we're not to blame for the way things are; that to improve things, we should pray. But the truth is, we are very much responsible for the badness in the world. And we have the power to fix it."
"It was her confidence, the certainty of who she was. She sowed it like a seed until it took root in others."
"Having a baby, Elizabeth realized, was a little like living with a visitor from a distant planet. There was a certain amount of give and take as the visitor learned your ways and you learned theirs, but gradually their ways faded and your ways stuck. Which she found regrettable. Because unlike adults, her visitor never tired of even the smallest discovery; always saw the magic in the extraordinary."
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit, Medical content, Murder, and Abandonment
iamaprettyflower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I highly recommend this book ❤️
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
isabelcostamurray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief
gris_zorra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death
leonie01's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Suicide