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lib_and_lynx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence and Child abuse
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
marmoo's review against another edition
4.0
This was a heavy read, but one that rewarded the emotional investment. Even more than the plot mechanics or magical realism trappings, this story’s sense of place really made the novel, deeply rooted as it was in Anacostia and the histories all its occupants brought with them.
restlessreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
katiegilley's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. This is a difficult book to write about. Going into it, you might want to do a bit of research about the Egyptian gods, Nephthys and Osiris, the twin siblings this book centers around. This is set in the 70s in the foggy outskirts of Washington DC and is full of supernatural activities that were unsettling, to say the least.
This was a difficult book to read, full of trigger warnings: child abuse and neglect, violence, drug and alcohol abuse. It was uncomfortable to read and showed the United States' vast chasm between the haves and have nots. It was written almost as if the author was in a dream and boy, did she take us on a journey.
I keep making a comparison between the characters in this book and another on the Women's Prize Long List this year: The Paper Palace. In both books, children are neglected and abused. But for the young children in this book, the consequences are much more dire. Again - we are not on an equal footing in the United States. Not by a long shot.
This was a difficult book to read, full of trigger warnings: child abuse and neglect, violence, drug and alcohol abuse. It was uncomfortable to read and showed the United States' vast chasm between the haves and have nots. It was written almost as if the author was in a dream and boy, did she take us on a journey.
I keep making a comparison between the characters in this book and another on the Women's Prize Long List this year: The Paper Palace. In both books, children are neglected and abused. But for the young children in this book, the consequences are much more dire. Again - we are not on an equal footing in the United States. Not by a long shot.
jlvwolf's review against another edition
4.25
Read the triggerb warnings before reading this book
Graphic: Pedophilia, Car accident, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Drug abuse
jboughton23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
butzjenna's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
izzy_reads7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5