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julbel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
bookn3rd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to love this book as it got me out of a long period of time in which I only read graphic novels and children’s books. The concept is interesting enough and it compelled me to keep reading. It was an easy finish. I liked the exploration of grief and its impact on larger suburban society.
However, my main issues with the book involve lazy stereotypes and descriptions, such as describing the strongest athlete as a “black giant” & his fellow teammates as “mediocre white dudes”, or the baby as “vaguely Asian features”. Like, Tom Perotta, do you realize that the continent of Asia is MASSIVE and people look really different all across it? It felt like bad writing and lazy to me. Very much a ‘white gaze’ for the ‘white audience’. I also disliked the ending. It felt VERY rushed and with no clear message or thoughts to ponder on.
I felt like this book would have made a decent rough draft but it still needed A LOT of work before being published. The ideas were all ovee the place.
However, my main issues with the book involve lazy stereotypes and descriptions, such as describing the strongest athlete as a “black giant” & his fellow teammates as “mediocre white dudes”, or the baby as “vaguely Asian features”. Like, Tom Perotta, do you realize that the continent of Asia is MASSIVE and people look really different all across it? It felt like bad writing and lazy to me. Very much a ‘white gaze’ for the ‘white audience’. I also disliked the ending. It felt VERY rushed and with no clear message or thoughts to ponder on.
I felt like this book would have made a decent rough draft but it still needed A LOT of work before being published. The ideas were all ovee the place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, and Gaslighting
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