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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
I’ll start by saying that this is a very character-focused book, and the plot was at times slow and meandering due to the intense focus on each character’s personality and backstory. This will not be for everyone, and if this doesn’t sound like your thing, don’t bother reading it.
That being said, personally, I loved it. Each character had so much depth, and I laughed out loud at times at the very frank and quietly funny descriptions of their observations and actions.
This book is, at its core, a beautiful and descriptive tale of what can be done when people show each other kindness. It shows how much better off we are when diverse people listen to each other, work together, and love each other.
That being said, personally, I loved it. Each character had so much depth, and I laughed out loud at times at the very frank and quietly funny descriptions of their observations and actions.
This book is, at its core, a beautiful and descriptive tale of what can be done when people show each other kindness. It shows how much better off we are when diverse people listen to each other, work together, and love each other.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
reflective
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved this story of how people who are othered in America can chose to harm to chose to help each other. Good character development and plot
I found this book to be extremely slow and just not all that interesting.
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such a great book. At first, I was lost and there were so many disparate characters, I found myself lost and a bit disengaged. But I really liked the character of Chona, the owner of the Heaven and Earth grocery store. She had so much integrity and kindness. Then I started to really care for Dodo, and Monkeypants broke my heart.
The construction of the book was tough at first. It is basically told in a circle. The murder discussed at the beginning of the book is circled back to you at the end. You finally find out who the skeleton is, but then I had to go back and read the beginning because I had nothing to connect that part to when I started reading. But it was good because I picked up so much more the second reading through. I like how there were layers of the story that were added to each time. The reader learns more about what happens as each character adds their own perspective.
The writing was also fantastic. I will need to pick up some others by James McBride. Highly recommend.
The construction of the book was tough at first. It is basically told in a circle. The murder discussed at the beginning of the book is circled back to you at the end. You finally find out who the skeleton is, but then I had to go back and read the beginning because I had nothing to connect that part to when I started reading. But it was good because I picked up so much more the second reading through. I like how there were layers of the story that were added to each time. The reader learns more about what happens as each character adds their own perspective.
The writing was also fantastic. I will need to pick up some others by James McBride. Highly recommend.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Uff, what a book. Stories inside of stories on top of stories hiding behind more stories. I started this as an audiobook but couldn't keep the focus - this one deserves the focus.
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Most of the book was about introducing the characters and the town, then the action of the story could begin almost like a Bollywood movie. I can’t believe Doc Robert’s ended up in the well. He deserved it though. Piece of shit. I was sure it was going to be Dodo.
I’m so happy that they were able to get Dodo out of the penitentiary. And Nate and Addie found each other again.
That was a hell of a story.
I’m so happy that they were able to get Dodo out of the penitentiary. And Nate and Addie found each other again.
That was a hell of a story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder
Minor: Child death, Sexual assault