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craftyanty's review
- 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
I've read this author's work before, but this one felt different to me. It often felt like a cross between Fredrik Bachman's Beartown and Sean Dietrich's Kinfolk.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Incest, Child abuse, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Animal death
kimreads14's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Here are a few reasons why:
- Sheriff Brody: I thought he was the least interesting character of them all, and he’s pretty much the leading “voice”. There are a few narrators in the book, but Brody’s voice is the one that comes up the most often.
The books concentrate on the idea that everyone has secrets and that these secrets are likely to come and bite you in the “derrière”. Yet, Brody’s main secret
- The pacing: jeez was this book long… I even have a progress note that says “Things are happening and yet it feels like nothing is happening.” I only thought the pacing improved when Charlie took over part of the narration.
Honestly, the only reason I kept going with this book was Charlie and her chapters. Scott’s were ok but Charlie was the real start in this book.
A few points to explain why I still gave it 2.5 ⭐️:
- Charlie: see above
- The fact that regardless of pacing and my hate for Brody this book still offers a good setting and discussion of American society in the 50s and the state of mind regarding the fall out of the two World Wars.
Graphic: Grief, Incest, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Death, Alcoholism, Cursing, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Animal cruelty, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, War, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Violence
zoeysdigest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you’re looking for a book that transports you to another place, that makes you feel and love the characters like you were there, that makes you question your own biases and prejudices— this is the read for you ◡̈
🎯 characters had believable psyche, presented with nuance specifically exploring how pain and trauma impacts decisions. No character was faultless, like real life.
🎯 plot developed at a perfect pace, with mystery unfolding and characters developing appropriately.
🎯 lovable characters (really makes you feel for them!)
🎯 a takeaway that stays with you. Specifically how we see “outsiders”, our sense of entitlement, and our prejudices.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
jennshelfishlife'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
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Racism, War, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Rape, and Sexism
laurajenkins'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? No
2.0
Minor: Physical abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Murder
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Confinement, Alcoholism, Bullying, Colonisation, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gore, Hate crime, Medical content, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, War, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical trauma, and Mental illness