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santilopez024'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
My biggest problems come down to some 1970s isms, such as the depiction of physical punishments to children and a few fatphobic comments, and one out-of-nowehere line that was pretty racist and so out of fashion i am surprised it was in my edition from the 2000s.
However, overall, its a lovely little story and i will definitely carry on with the Chrestomanci books, and Jones' work overall.
Moderate: Child abuse and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
eclipseoforion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse and Incest
inkshadows'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
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Racism and Toxic friendship
the_cheerful_necromancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Glorious fun! I was lucky enough to discover the Chrestomanci series right before I aged out of their target audience.
Wynne Jones' world pulls me in perfectly every time; every single setting feels wonderfully real and charming, if you'll excuse the pun. These are definitely comfort books for me and Charmed Life is no exception. It's a great little tale of strange new beginnings, surprisingly dark circumstances, and stepping out of someone else's shadow.
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Incest, and Racism
Readers should note that this book, unfortunately, falls into the all-too-common trend of "fat people are usually mean or unpleasant." There are some 'plump' characters who are good or morally grey, but unfortunately it does play into this trope all the same. Otherwise, I've not rated any of the themes as "severe" as none of them are graphic, they are all age-appropriate. However, note that the main characters are orphans and the main character's sister is emotionally abusive. [child death]:soph22'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
draven_deathcrush'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
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Incest
Moderate: Child abuse
growintogardens's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Incest, Racial slurs, and Grief
soph22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
destinyischoice'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
3.0
Perhaps not as terrible or as obvious as in Harry Potter, but still noticeable enough for me to think that the author had some serious biases and issues around fatness, food, and body shame. Not great for kids to read body shaming stuff. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book very much. I’ve heard that there is some racism and more fatphobia in subsequent books in the series so unsure if I’ll carry on.
Moderate: Fatphobia
djinnandtea'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
4.0
I saw someone on Tumblr discuss the inherent classism of this book, which is a thing I can’t really unsee now, and I think it’s important to mention here. It’s also a book of its time. Adults sometimes speak harshly to children (calling them or their actions stupid) and there are a few moments of physical punishment (a character is spanked with a boot, another “boxed” twice on both ears). I don’t think it devalues the story, but it does take me out of the joyful experience of reading it when these moments occur, and it could understandably be off-putting to other readers.
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Child abuse and Fatphobia