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mirandyli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
deestreet's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Drug use, and Terminal illness
sierrabowers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
miller8d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Deportation
ameliabeimler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, War, and Classism
rubberrosebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Grief, Murder, and War
san_dra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Rape, Terminal illness, Grief, Murder, and War
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, and Abandonment
glyounger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Child death, Hate crime, Rape, Violence, and War
enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition
3.75
"You know the greatest lesson of history? It's that history is whatever the victors say it is. That's the lesson. Whoever wins, that's who decides the history. We act in our own self interest. Of course we do. Name a person or a nation who does not. The trick is figuring out where your interests are."
Reasons why this book is great:
- Every sentence and paragraph paints a vivid picture in your head; almost as if creating a world for someone who is unable to physically see it (like the main character, Marie-Laure).
- Definition of a beautifully tragic tale. The author doesn’t shy away from the dark side of war or survival during occupation, but also describes the world to remind us to cherish every day.
- Written as an epic tale, with high-stakes, action, character growth, and drama.
- For anyone who’s a fan of independent films or typical Oscar-nominated films, this story taps into that same general vibe.
Whew! This book is one of those that feeds and starves your soul. It's a hard read because it focuses on tragedy (WW2) and the tough choices regular people have to make in times of extreme circumstances. Although the Netflix series did an AMAZING job adapting this book, there is SO. MUCH. MORE. to absorb from the book. Doerr's descriptive language, epic scenery, unique world-view, and likeable characters are truly something to experience.
Also, this was my first book that I used an audio guide to follow along. Honestly, because of the book's epic-ness, I found myself getting lost in the words/descriptions. Having the audiobook companion to keep me on track with my paperback version, was a great help to stay grounded in the story.
Graphic: Hate crime, Physical abuse, Antisemitism, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and War
Minor: Xenophobia and Death of parent
This book takes place during Nazi occupation in France, bringing all of the historical elements into this story.dinklydoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail