A review by annasophie
Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill

dark emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

3.75

3.5 stars - This was a real punch in the gut. I watched the movie 13 when I was 13 and it scarred me so badly I still get uncomfortable now in my late 20s whenever I remember it. This book feels equivalent to that but at the same time it is gut-wrenchingly, beautifully written. I always have a hard time with books written from a child’s perspective as most writers sadly either oversimplify or overcomplicate how kids’ minds work; but O’Neill has captured her protagonist’s thoughts in a very believable and authentic way, which is commendable. There are many lines in this book I underlined simply because they were beautifully phrased or thought provoking even when taken out of the context of the book. It’s heavy but I enjoyed this a lot more than I anticipated. The only reason it wasn’t a 4 star read is that it stretched quite long and I found it hard to get through, but this is more on me as a reader and my ADHD-brain, not the book itself.
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