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ashleyjean6's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
This is beautifully written; but so sad. A woman writing about her life and looking back at her traumatic childhood (poverty, abuse) and her escape which brought her to a place she feels out of place in. It's a very humbling book, one that makes you feel seen as a human. It's seems simple, but it's really the opposite. It's difficult to explain. But I want to read more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
catmumm's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
This book is incredibly sad. I cannot figure out the point of the book. It doesn’t really have a plot. You can definitely tell it was written by a Boomer. Younger generations have figured out you don’t need to keep terrible parents in your life. You don’t have to trick yourself into thinking that they were “doing their best” when they were not providing you with the basics. You can be free of any hope you have that they will suddenly be different, love you, and support you. Because you are most likely never going to get that. You deserve better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
liltag's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
bufalowevr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent
anniebraves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
The first in a series of 4. I cannot wait to read the others. Just stunning prose that stays with you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Homophobia
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
fast-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
3.0
Easy, quick read at less than 200 pages. I read this in one sitting, and only finished because I have book 2 and have heard it’s better than Lucy Barton, plus as I said it’s a quick read.
Stream of consciousness writing style with chapters jumping from different points of time which could be confusing at times. I’m not a big fan of this writing style because it usually lacks depth and the characters felt one dimensional.
I felt detached to the characters because there’s a lot of telling instead of showing. Maybe it’s because of how short the novel is and it tries to span so much time in so few pages.
The book is an interesting exploration of a childhood lived in extreme poverty, neglect, tense mother-daughter relationships, and loneliness. I did appreciate some quotes that made me think but overall it’s not bad or great, just average and forgettable. I’m hoping other reviewers are right and book 2 (as well as another of Strout’s novels, Olive Kitteridge) is better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Genocide, Homophobia, Murder, and War
thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical trauma
Minor: Child abuse
sslinkard's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Rape
mike_the_goblin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a great book, easy to recommend but difficult to read. The plot is fairly easy to follow along with but it is told in an unorthodox way. This is a great example of a writer expertly revealing character through dialogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment