Scan barcode
littlelizzieborden's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, Bullying, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Violence, Self harm, Colonisation, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, War, Death of parent, and Homophobia
dorsetreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Blood, Classism, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death
accovino's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
<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>
Moderate: Ableism, Vomit, Suicide, Stalking, Sexual violence, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racial slurs, Miscarriage, Infertility, Gun violence, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Xenophobia
alayamorning's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Grief
hollyd19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Y’all, I wanted to love this book. It seemed charming and fun and has a totally-up-my-alley premise. But on the whole, I was pretty disappointed.
First of all, this book has a lot more heavy themes than I expected given the synopsis and the various endorsements (words like “charming,” “brilliant,” and “marvelous”). I’ll put some content warnings at the bottom. Secondly, the character development felt spasmodic and inconsistent. Finally, there is a character called Mundic who I felt was an awkward, possibly even offensive, attempt at incorporating post-war PTSD into the narrative. Most of the chapters from his perspective left me unsettled and a little confused.
Admittedly, I liked the second half better than the first. The two women found a bit more of a rhythm and their relationship took on a more believable tenor. That said, I cannot say I found it to be a satisfying to read.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Self harm, Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, and Infertility
bookish_allie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicide and Self harm
Moderate: Miscarriage, Homophobia, Violence, Infertility, and Death