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galexy_brain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Deadnaming, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Slavery, Transphobia, Medical content, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and War
katsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“She hadn't realized how long it takes to become somebody else, or how lonely it can be living in a world not meant for you.”
“The only difference between lying and acting was whether your audience was in on it, but it was all a performance just the same.”
“A body could be labeled but a person couldn’t, and the difference between the two depended on that muscle in your chest. That beloved organ, not sentient, not aware, not feeling, just pumping along, keeping you alive.”
I have so many feelings about this book. I don't know if I feel confident in articulating them. This book followed the lives of twins Desiree and Stella and their respective daughters, Jude and Kennedy. They are raised in the town of Mallard, a town for light-skinned "colored" people. When they get older, they make choices that will influence the rest of their lives and that of their daughters. This story obviously had a ton of commentary on colorism and what it means to "pass." I was really glad I had the chance to buddy read this because it was helpful to chat through some of the heavy themes. I think the title of this book is really spot on because it can be applied to so many different pieces of the novel. Ultimately, it's a book about identity. What does it mean to be Black? White? Man? Woman? Daughter? Mother? Family? I fully understand why this book has received all the hype it has in the last year or two. It is a powerful narrative that definitely feels like it will become a classic that is analyzed in classrooms for a long time. I would recommend going into this novel a little blind. What I've written here is basically what I knew about it when I went in and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience the story without any preconceived notions.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
melissadeehunnybee'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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Addiction and Domestic abuse
ifersinklings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
longlostreader's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Hate crime
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent