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minamouse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and War
Minor: Grief, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
“She was bad and she knew she was bad and she could see no end to it.”
I can see why this is a beloved classic! Maggie O’Farrell’s introduction was particularly insightful. I love a coming-of-age story, and the Scottish voice and quick, considered pacing made this much more absorbing than previous failed attempts to read similar material, like I Capture The Castle. I do think the pacing was to the books detriment in the last chapter, as the ending felt a bit too sudden for me, but the rest of the book more than makes up for it. Barker’s talent for linguistics makes imagery and description rhythmic, beautiful, technically precise and often deeply moving. The teenage voice feels very careful; not so much authentic as deliberately and cautiously crafted, to great effect. Having also read The Vanishing of Esme Lennox, I do love the similarities; the perhaps unintentional narrative of embracing neurodivergence but simultaneously being cast out and punished for it was strangely modern and insightful. It feels like this could have been written last year.
I can see why this is a beloved classic! Maggie O’Farrell’s introduction was particularly insightful. I love a coming-of-age story, and the Scottish voice and quick, considered pacing made this much more absorbing than previous failed attempts to read similar material, like I Capture The Castle. I do think the pacing was to the books detriment in the last chapter, as the ending felt a bit too sudden for me, but the rest of the book more than makes up for it. Barker’s talent for linguistics makes imagery and description rhythmic, beautiful, technically precise and often deeply moving. The teenage voice feels very careful; not so much authentic as deliberately and cautiously crafted, to great effect. Having also read The Vanishing of Esme Lennox, I do love the similarities; the perhaps unintentional narrative of embracing neurodivergence but simultaneously being cast out and punished for it was strangely modern and insightful. It feels like this could have been written last year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment