Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Passing Strange by Ellen Klages

15 reviews

whatsmacksaid's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Homophobia

nem_'s review against another edition

emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.0

While I did really enjoy this book-especially with the way the end ties into the beginning-I did think the magic aspects tended to come out of left field, which was a shame. But I did enjoy the romance (though it did start too quickly for my liking), as well as the way it tackled being a lesbian in a 1940s setting. It was very insightful! Absolutely recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Domestic abuse

beccaand's review

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Police brutality, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Death and Racism

Minor: War

thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Police brutality

Moderate: Death, Racism, and Murder

prufrockpreptooth's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Homophobia, Racism, Blood, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol

Minor: War

acxjkc's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia

neens_m's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Racism

tinyjude's review

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A beautifully written novella that tackles themes such as police brutality, lesbophobia, xenophobia, racism, physical abuse, societal expectations... as well as queer love, female friendship, fantasy, magic and a beautiful and nuance portrayal of queer life at that time.

In some occassions it reminded me of Stone Butch Blues because of the portrayal of lesbian (especially femme and butch identities) women and the difficulties they faced at the time. In that sense, this novella was heartbreaking.

However, the flirting, the longing gazes, the sweet intimate moments, the close relationships between these queer women were delightful. I felt in love with Helen/Spike (my god, no wonder everyone went crazy for her. I was going insane reading it) and Haskel (oh, Haskel). The inclusion of art, the descriptions especially of the last painting which is the gorgeous cover of this novella, the artistry vibes of all, noir films with lesbians (looking at you 'bound')... they were just marvelous.

Love and art can definitely be magical.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment

buildingtaste's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I wish this book was either shorter or longer, if that makes sense. The back jacket makes a point of there being six different women involved, and this is technically true, but the majority of the story is devoted to just two of them and their relationship. The magic is just enough, neither showily out of place nor so subtle it doesn't warrant its inclusion. Reading the penultimate chapter and looking back at the cover made me tear up.

I hope Haskel and Emily had a beautiful life.

Despite the long list of content warnings this book is on the whole a reaffirming read, it just doesn't gloss over the historic conditions for lesbians and Asian americans in the 1940s.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

sapphicbloom's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

If you liked Last Night at the Telegraph Club and like magical realism - you're going to love this book! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual assault