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lak98's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Murder, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Animal death
Minor: Pedophilia
caitisbooked's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
booksandcoffeerequired's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
aria_'s review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I loved the most in the book was the writing. Katherine Seligman uniquely brings to life the characters and tells the story in a concise yet descriptive way. There is nothing extra in the writing, nothing non-essential to the text. At the same time, the story itself is not difficult to understand, and the book pulls you through.
I was never bored reading this book, and it always kept my full attention. The book is about 20 year old Maddy, who is homeless and living in San Fransisco. One day, she comes across a boy who has been murdered and is there for the last moments of his life. Throughout the book, we get to know her friends who she lives with, and she ends up getting to know and spending time with Dave and Marva, the parents of the boy who was killed.
Maddy was a really interesting protagonist, and her story was very well thought out and developed. I loved reading about her past, and how we learned bits and pieces of her backstory, little by little throughout the book.
I thought that the author did a wonderful job creating a cast of characters who were all unique, and giving them life. Ash, Fleet, Hope, and Maddy were a great bunch, and Dave and Marva were very interesting as well.
I did want to know more about Dave and Marva though. They seemed to me as the characters with the least amount of information, with the least amount of depth, especially Marva, who didn't play as big a role in the story.
I definitely think that reading the book gave me more insight into what it would be like to be homeless and the book really sheds light on the struggles of homeless people that aren't often thought about. Whenever you see someone on the streets, your first thought isn't of their family or friends, but this book really dug into different scenarios, and what might be happening.
I think that At the Edge of the Haight is a very important book, and one that I recommend reading if this seems like a book you could enjoy.
Overall, it's an interesting book, with incredible writing, great characters, and a compelling plot.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Drug use
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Death
Minor: Homophobia
kerrireads's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Drug use