kzwally's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Abortion, Violence, Murder, and Mass/school shootings
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
andersonh92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Out of all the JP books I’ve read, this has been my least favorite. Not because it was a bad story or not well written. JP is a great writer! The research and background that goes into all her books are unmatched! And she always comes in clutch with the plot twists at the end.
This one, however, was easy to guess.
And I really hated the non-linear plot. It was like we saw the same scene from different characters’ perspectives, but there was nothing really added to the scene. This was the case for most of the book.
I just felt that if there’s no new information, there was no reason to rehash the same scene again. The 17-hour audio (and however many page novel) probably could have been cut in half and saved the reader a little confusion in the process.
This one, however, was easy to guess.
And I really hated the non-linear plot. It was like we saw the same scene from different characters’ perspectives, but there was nothing really added to the scene. This was the case for most of the book.
I just felt that if there’s no new information, there was no reason to rehash the same scene again. The 17-hour audio (and however many page novel) probably could have been cut in half and saved the reader a little confusion in the process.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
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
comefromaway's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although quite compelling, it felt like a book of abortion myths. I found the reverse timeline hard to keep up with, and so didn’t really connect with any of the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
debby71's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
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
sophiegs's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, and Murder
time4tori2read's review against another edition
I enjoy the premise and characters so far (p 102) but the backwards timeline and extremely long chapters make it hard to remember everything that happened previously as well as keep the timeline straight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion