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keliza23'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Murder
Minor: Transphobia and Abandonment
stephmcoakley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
amylynnknitsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Violence and Murder
midnightmarauder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Some of the things I loved include the insertion of a trans man in a time period where they didn't really exist, nor are they mentioned often in historical fiction (Reese quickly became one of my favorite characters in the story; he and Jude's love story was a beautiful thing to watch unfold), how colorism and racism can lead to such big consequences amongst the black community, and the nonlinear writing structure; a style that left me staying up, just to see what would happen next.
Some things I would've liked to know more about include Stella, Kennedy, and Blake's fates. Did Stella and Kennedy
As for Stella,
Lastly, Blake:
All in all, this book was one that was very hard to put down. All I can really say is wow. Brit Bennet is a marvelous writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Dysphoria
notartgarfunkel's review against another edition
- 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: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content
lalu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
We follow two coloured sisters with very light skin. One of them vanishes, tells everyone that her family is dead, and lives her life as the white wife of a rich white man. The other one marries a black man who becomes abusive, so she takes her daughter and returns to her mother. The story also focuses on their then-grown up daughters - the white daughter being completely clueless about her mother's life of lies, the black one struggling with racism and poverty - and how they find each other by chance.
I really liked the concept and where the author was going with this. Her ability to say so much with just a few words is incredible. The characters were well fleshed out and I was particularly invested in the black daughter's story and that of her boyfriend, who is a trans man.
But then the book suddenly ended. And I don't think it should have ended there. There were so many more things I wanted to know about the characters and how their lives continued. I've rarely been so bummed about finishing a book.
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Dementia
carlytenille's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
brassmonkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Transphobia and Religious bigotry
innastholiel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Dementia, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Dysphoria
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
this book's quite a page-turner, the search for the lost twin akin to a drama mystery, albeit w/ no officials. the main characters and their inner psyches are complex and developed; even when u hate their choices, u understand why they do it. the bond between desiree and stella's also believable in each twin's desire to be her own individual yet whose identity's deeply connected to another. the inclusion of the queer community is surprisingly natural and nuanced as well, esp w/ reese.
and ofc, this novel's highlight is its exploration and depiction of being black in america: racism, colorism, misogynoir, relationship to a white supremacist society. desiree's and stella's diverging lives and the consequences of that def raise a lot of thought-provoking points, all of which are difficult and uncomfortable. i also appreciate how bennett doesnt depict any group - however despicable they are - as a monolith; even the racist white ppl receive a nuanced portrayal and it makes the book much more interesting to read.
however, i do have a couple issues w/ the novel. the narrative structure, imo, is unnecessarily convoluted and confusing. not even bc of the time skips, but the random reminiscing of past events and foreshadowing phrases that aim to take advantage of the omniscient POV but ends up causing confusion and distraction instead. the multiple character viewpoints in a chapter only further compounds this issue.
the multiple POVs and timelines also mean that focus on each is arbitrary and at times unsatisfactory, cutting things off to early. as there's a lot of action happening, some characters - like desiree - are neglected and we dont spend enough time whether w/ her or in her head. the focus on plot development results in not enough focus and time on certain characters' emotions, feelings, and change.
the prose could also be more polished; currently it does do what it needs to do, but the writing comes across as too blunt or detached at times. and somehow, despite the book doing a great job of incisively examining blackness in america, i feel like it's not enough somehow, that sth's still missing, just a lil spark. basically i feel like bennett couldve taken things even further or deeper, but perhaps she aims to focus more on the characters and the 'small' story.
overall, this is a thought-provoking, insightful book that incisively examines blackness in america, though i personally think it couldve been even better.
Graphic: Murder and Abandonment