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rusina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
emray14'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
The sweet moments were sweet and the sad moments were sad. When it wants to be emotional, it succeeds beautifully. The format was fun to read, what with all the changing povs, but the graphic sexual assault scene and Elizabeth’s selfishness kept this could-be fantastic book from reaching 5 stars.
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Pregnancy
stupidforcupid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Anyway, this was a phenomenal debut for Garmus (who's madly talented). I hope to see her taking on more stories in the future.
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
caitlinvdj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and War
outer_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE DIVING INTO THIS BOOK!!!! (another to add amongst the others from below, 'BIRTH AND LABOR')
- the flow of the writing is beautiful. it's too descriptive in my eyes while too short and abrupt. I could still feel the characters' behaviours and how they feel from them showing it without telling. As well as having not too long description which made it easier for my head to paint a picture of the world and the characters.
- the characters have very varying personalities and behaviours.
- its not so realistic that its super fun to read. like having an overly smart dog that could learn over 900 words from the vocabulary and has the attention of a human being.
- I love that the chemical terms were not that complicated to understand.
- I did chuckle on some instances in the book but it wasn't much despite it being marketed as a 'Humorous' book.
Final thoughts:
This is book is unrealistic in the aspect of 'every single man was sexist and unaccepting of women back in the 60s'. But there were topics that were very interesting and realistic that still exists today such as sexism, misogyny and people are ingrained to refuse to put the first foot at the door for change due to fear. I love the little humours here and there but it wasn't a lot. It was fun and emotional to watch Elizabeth's hard journey from what she wanted to something completely beyond her imaginations but still did what she loved. I know I gave it a 3.5/5, it doesn't mean it was bad I really enjoyed the book whether somethings are realistic or not. It was such a fun read for me!
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide and Blood
Minor: Racism
pixie_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
There is also unacknowledged racism and sexism. Like The Collected Regrets of Clover, which I also read this month, this author signaled "bad" characters by their looks. Ladies, describing someone as having a "hooked" or "prominent" nose to indicate bad characters or villainy is racist. I'm sure you weren't even aware you did that, but someone on the editing team should have called it out. In this book, she signals the rapist villain by the looks of his wife (not a typo. He's a rapist. The author is unconsciously racist by how she describes the wife's looks.) In that chapter she also signals the antagonist secretary by her fat hips. That's sexist because women should not internalize and then judge other women by those standards, particularly not to signal bad character. Later the main character gives a speech about how you shouldn't judge women, and incidentally people of color, but to throw that in as just a phrase in your speech doesn't make you not a racist. It was a weak attempt to draw that in, where it wasn't integral to the rest of the book. Bleh.
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Fatphobia and Racism
vanessatombolini'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
kwthor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
celestecurls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Vomit, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
uranaishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail