A review by kiramke
Auē by Becky Manawatu

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Very well-written but I found it challenging to read and often upsetting.  It's not that there's a lot of graphic violence, it's that the suffering is pervasive and the threat of something worse is always present.  For all that, it's a lovely hopeful book with good realism and complex characters that become really lovable.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism

Deals consistently with the effects of abuse and other issues on a child. Nothing is graphic but neither is it shied away from; it's not possible to skip sections as these are major themes, but they are dealt with respectfully and compassionately.