bellaroseh's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
slow-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
3.5
Picoult finds a way to turn real world issues into fictional stories that you want to read and yet find yourself learning so much from. The unconventional writing style takes a bit of getting used to but is overall really well done.
It's sad that since this book was published, women's rights have further been challenged in America. Comments in the book like "as long as Roe v Wade stands..." are a reminder of how times have changed in the short time since 2018.
I think Picoult effectively considers multiple arguments and points of view from the controversial pro-life / pro-choice movements. She also addresses intertwined issues such as race, poverty and gun violence. Picoult writes based on research, making you consider the issues facing society in America and globally.
The book is quite slow paced which I at times found difficult to engage with. That being said, the differing perspectives of individually explored characters helped guide the story. I enjoyed how the final two paragraphs brought together some of the characters, giving them a wider context; as well as providing a conclusion to the overriding plot - which was beginning to feel neglected in latter chapters.
It's sad that since this book was published, women's rights have further been challenged in America. Comments in the book like "as long as Roe v Wade stands..." are a reminder of how times have changed in the short time since 2018.
I think Picoult effectively considers multiple arguments and points of view from the controversial pro-life / pro-choice movements. She also addresses intertwined issues such as race, poverty and gun violence. Picoult writes based on research, making you consider the issues facing society in America and globally.
The book is quite slow paced which I at times found difficult to engage with. That being said, the differing perspectives of individually explored characters helped guide the story. I enjoyed how the final two paragraphs brought together some of the characters, giving them a wider context; as well as providing a conclusion to the overriding plot - which was beginning to feel neglected in latter chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Mass/school shootings, and Rape
Moderate: Blood and Vomit
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
avaa_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
the ending saved my review by .5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Violence, Mass/school shootings, and Medical content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Chronic illness and Death of parent
sondercactus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Abortion, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual assault
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- 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
4.75
This was emotionally hard to read. The writer again scores a home run with the omniscient narrator. It was an especially important topic to get that 360° perspective of every single character.
Initially, the backward timeline felt novel and even natural to the storyline, but the further back we went in the day, the more entirely fatiguing I found the book. But this was the only way to understand why and how we got to where the book had started. There’s also a bit of a twist that changes how I see three of the characters.
Appreciate the author’s note at the end too.
Initially, the backward timeline felt novel and even natural to the storyline, but the further back we went in the day, the more entirely fatiguing I found the book. But this was the only way to understand why and how we got to where the book had started. There’s also a bit of a twist that changes how I see three of the characters.
Appreciate the author’s note at the end too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Gun violence, and Child death
Moderate: Rape
dr_readmore_17's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
While the plot and concept is interesting and does spark conversation and thought on a controversial topic, the flow of the book is difficult. The book moves backward in time making it difficult to follow and connect with characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Gun violence
karyleighjoy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
ozias's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
One of the most disappointing Picoult books I've read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Abortion
Moderate: Cancer, Religious bigotry, and Gun violence
cmareads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
kjkbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Thoughts:
This book is on what cannot be argued isn't an extremely controversial topic, now so even more than when it was wrote, but manages to give both sides of the debate in rationalised explanations as well as the emotive words and attacks used by those arging.
Going back in time was a new experience for me and made it feel a little weird knowing someone was going to die when reading about them waking up. But then again isn't that kind of the point, no one knows what events have led up to someone ending up in a center like that but judgements are often made nonetheless.
<Spoiler>I personally think it was also poignant that many in the center at the time were not there for an abortion but for the other services the centre provide as it can be easy to forget those kinds of centers also support other reproductive health issues such as gyno exams and birth control. </Spoiler>
Favourite Quote:
"We are all drowning slowly in the tide of our opinions, oblivious that we are taking on water every time we open our mouths."
This book is on what cannot be argued isn't an extremely controversial topic, now so even more than when it was wrote, but manages to give both sides of the debate in rationalised explanations as well as the emotive words and attacks used by those arging.
Going back in time was a new experience for me and made it feel a little weird knowing someone was going to die when reading about them waking up. But then again isn't that kind of the point, no one knows what events have led up to someone ending up in a center like that but judgements are often made nonetheless.
<Spoiler>I personally think it was also poignant that many in the center at the time were not there for an abortion but for the other services the centre provide as it can be easy to forget those kinds of centers also support other reproductive health issues such as gyno exams and birth control. </Spoiler>
Favourite Quote:
"We are all drowning slowly in the tide of our opinions, oblivious that we are taking on water every time we open our mouths."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Rape, and Abortion
bakinglizbet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Gun violence