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emulator's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Reading this book was a breathtaking experience in so many ways. Despite my not being raised Evangelical, I have never before found something that so authentically captures identity crises, living with doubt and shame that takes years to unravel. The layers of self-loathing and self-hatred caused by disconnects deep in the soul between the teachings our social structures reinforce and what we spiritually know to be innately true. How doubt and shame bury these feelings deep enough to gnaw at our sense of self and capacity to love. How we repress it all and suffocate in increasingly desperate attempts to Be Normal.
There are also the approximately 3,705 times I laughed my head off and the representation I felt as a former Scripture And Liturgy Dork. Beautiful, powerful, overwhelming and authentic novel on every level, one which I have already re-read and then listened to the audiobook start-to-finish. I will hold this book close to my heart for as long as I live.
There are also the approximately 3,705 times I laughed my head off and the representation I felt as a former Scripture And Liturgy Dork. Beautiful, powerful, overwhelming and authentic novel on every level, one which I have already re-read and then listened to the audiobook start-to-finish. I will hold this book close to my heart for as long as I live.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Islamophobia, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness and Antisemitism
gdavis254's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A little heavy-handed but overall excellent and very memorable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and War
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