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izwit's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Ableism, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
louise010's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs, Homophobia, and Ableism
accovino's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really didn't care for this. Every time it started to get charming it got frustrating again. I don't care for the way the author writes about being a "big" woman, I don't like the way she writes about PTSD or dyslexia, I absolutely don't like how she uses slurs, and I don't think "Well it's set in a different time" doesn't fly with me.
<Spoiler>
I 100% expected Enid to die in childbirth. She's not fleshed-out in any way, and it really feels as if the author thinks she's too damaged to thrive. Margery needed a reason to live, so Enid made her one. Margery is sad and broken and pathetic, until there's a baby, and then her life is changed forever! She never knew what love was! Can I tell you how much I hate that trope? Women only exist to have babies. Enid certainly did. Our lives are meaningless without babies. Even though the author repeatedly states that Margery's purpose is the beetle, the narrative shows us otherwise. And I honestly don't even want to touch the character of a damaged POW more monster than human, such a horrible damaging stereotype of PTSD and mental illness. And the ENDING. Good lord. The female entomologist at the museum knows that the systemic and interpersonal sexism she's experiencing is her own fault because she laughs sometimes?? And the argument that oh, that's the CHARACTER thinking that, the AUTHOR doesn't think that, I don't buy, because if that's the case, SHOW ME. Don't leave it as, "Lean in!" </Spoiler>
<Spoiler>
I 100% expected Enid to die in childbirth. She's not fleshed-out in any way, and it really feels as if the author thinks she's too damaged to thrive. Margery needed a reason to live, so Enid made her one. Margery is sad and broken and pathetic, until there's a baby, and then her life is changed forever! She never knew what love was! Can I tell you how much I hate that trope? Women only exist to have babies. Enid certainly did. Our lives are meaningless without babies. Even though the author repeatedly states that Margery's purpose is the beetle, the narrative shows us otherwise. And I honestly don't even want to touch the character of a damaged POW more monster than human, such a horrible damaging stereotype of PTSD and mental illness. And the ENDING. Good lord. The female entomologist at the museum knows that the systemic and interpersonal sexism she's experiencing is her own fault because she laughs sometimes?? And the argument that oh, that's the CHARACTER thinking that, the AUTHOR doesn't think that, I don't buy, because if that's the case, SHOW ME. Don't leave it as, "Lean in!" </Spoiler>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Vomit, Suicide, Stalking, Sexual violence, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racial slurs, Miscarriage, Infertility, Gun violence, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Xenophobia
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