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ezrasbabel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
this is truly one of the greatest books of the 21st century, it deserves its place on best books of all time lists. it’s heart wrenching and exciting and hard to put down. it’s exposing is comforting and it truly brought me to tears. i hope to read more great books like this.
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use and Antisemitism
bookishbeccahale's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Dementia, and Suicide attempt
bail33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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
5.0
This book is one of my favourites I’ve ever read. It provides strong critique of late-capitalist America and the main disconnects between Baby Boomers and Gen Xers but manages to weave it all into a story focused on characters worth investing in.
You probably won’t finish the book feeling proud of any of these characters. You probably won’t want to declare your love for them. You’ll probably understand them, sympathize with them, and feel empathy for them— but you’ll be ashamed of it.
It is an extremely character-driven book and all of the characters are beyond flawed, but they feel like real people.
The book is slow-paced but very descriptive and well-written. If this is what Franzen wrote when he was trying to write a best seller then I’m excited to see what he wrote when he wasn’t.
You probably won’t finish the book feeling proud of any of these characters. You probably won’t want to declare your love for them. You’ll probably understand them, sympathize with them, and feel empathy for them— but you’ll be ashamed of it.
It is an extremely character-driven book and all of the characters are beyond flawed, but they feel like real people.
The book is slow-paced but very descriptive and well-written. If this is what Franzen wrote when he was trying to write a best seller then I’m excited to see what he wrote when he wasn’t.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Excrement, Dementia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
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