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al3xa's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
🎧
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Pregnancy
kiwi_00's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
4.75
It's so interesting to read about this topic in a book from the perspective of a male main character because I think it reminded me that even though men do have privilege and power under patriarchy, ultimately everyone loses. It really reminds me of Confessions Of An Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney. As a fiction book, Not So Pure And Simple does a really good job of showing how religion interacts with patriarchy to keep other more marginalised groups oppressed, especially within the Black community, this is juxtaposed with showing how much kids going through puberty need information from sex-ed classes especially with the questions that people in the purity pledge group were asking. My favourite part of the book has to be the family intervention after Del blows up at Kiera and slutshames her. It's made clear that Del was in the wrong and he did a horrible thing to Kiera. Del's family show him that while he can feel sad and jealousy about his years-long crush not reciprocating his romantic feelings, that in no way allows him to feel entitled to her. I liked the positive Black masculinity role models shown through MJ and Del's dad . Another thing this book does well is to show how church can be a big communal space that is important for lots of people but it can easily be a place where the wrong types of messages are pushed and humiliation is used to discipline.
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Physical abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy
kkaur23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Not So Pure and Simple is a fantastic read. This is one of few novels I recommend teens consider based on their maturity and readiness to read about sex, relationships, and graphic details. Though it has a fair amount of graphic content, it is purposeful and highlights important conversations young adults should be having with their grown ups. It does also question the role of the church and the main character grows through the process of understanding what role church and faith play in his life.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Self harm
conceptuallysound's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Bullying
Minor: Religious bigotry
carolined314's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Young Black boy accidentally joins a Purity club in pursuit of his crush, small town politics, religion, and sex all well discussed, and it's funny.
Moderate: Sexual assault and Religious bigotry
Minor: Pregnancy and Infidelity
space_bandit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity
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