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zara89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
danaaliyalevinson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was a quick little read, just barely over novella length.
There's also a movie adaptation with Cillian Murphy that just premiered at Berlinale, which looks great. This book is great for anyone looking for a quick yet still deeply emotional read
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Death, Abandonment, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
em_c1aire's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Confinement
flower_lover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Animal death, and Grief
Minor: Vomit
vixenreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Torture, Bullying, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Xenophobia, Excrement, and Terminal illness
Be aware that this novel addresses the Magdalen laundry, where religious institutions would abuse and isolate young “troubled” women. It is rough to read, and there is more details between the lines. Poverty and abuse of power had a huge hand in this discussion.notthatcosta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The dialogue was particularly strong from the supporting townspeople, the opaqueness of which complemented the earnestness and pathos of the protagonist. I really got a good sense of his temperament, motivations and backstory, which is an achievement in a novella.
I appreciated the economy of the writing and how it created an air of tension and mystery whilst providing enough exposition to keep you in the story. It made me hungry for more, which is the mark of a good writer, especially of shorter books.
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Vomit, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
vas_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Confinement, Death of parent, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Bullying, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Child death
aisha_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry
natgeographic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Slavery, Sexism, and Child abuse
katerinakr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Vomit, Physical abuse, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Torture, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Death