alliegray's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.5
ravenclawomanistcyborgwitch's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! What a story! SO many feelings reading this book! Top three fiction book of the year.
pnkern's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
erinj254's review against another edition
1.0
DNF'd this one halfway through and read the spoilers on GR to see what happened.
starrynightbyvg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-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
5.0
eawfritz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
cricca's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
Complex, meditative, somewhat melancholy, but quite rewarding.
Forewarned that this story explored multiple sensitive topics, I delayed starting longer than I should. Usually I don't shy away from meaty themes, but I wasn't eager to add more weight to current heaviness. When on only page 17 I encountered the dexterity and oomph of this passage: I was armed with millions of smiles. Apologetic smiles, pity-me smiles, I-look-unto-God smiles--name all the fake smiles needed to get through an afternoon with a group of people who claim to want the best for you while poking at your open sore with a stick..., I knew I was in delicate and skillful hands.
audiobook note: Anyone with similar mixed feelings about entering this narrative would do well to choose audio, as it is lushly read by the incomparable Adjoa Andoh. How her voice radiates both crispness and lilting resonance is a mystery, but it transformed my early hesitation into finding excuses to listen whenever I could.
Forewarned that this story explored multiple sensitive topics, I delayed starting longer than I should. Usually I don't shy away from meaty themes, but I wasn't eager to add more weight to current heaviness. When on only page 17 I encountered the dexterity and oomph of this passage: I was armed with millions of smiles. Apologetic smiles, pity-me smiles, I-look-unto-God smiles--name all the fake smiles needed to get through an afternoon with a group of people who claim to want the best for you while poking at your open sore with a stick..., I knew I was in delicate and skillful hands.
audiobook note: Anyone with similar mixed feelings about entering this narrative would do well to choose audio, as it is lushly read by the incomparable Adjoa Andoh. How her voice radiates both crispness and lilting resonance is a mystery, but it transformed my early hesitation into finding excuses to listen whenever I could.
tanyamck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0