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granasys's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book could be talked about for hours, as it portrays both nuanced characters and societal issues, while having a unique atmosphere.
What got to me is the Irving's way of showing close-up examinations at times and drifting away for other, seemingly without regard to the importance of the event. The love triangle was one of the saddest and most realistically portrayed I ever encountered and throughout the story I was naviely hoping that given the author's approach to other issues, it would be solved through polyamory. Was grateful that the queer storyline wasn't the sad one for once.
The themes it tackles, especially abortion rights makes it painfull relevant as ever. It also touches on racial issues with care.
The story itself only got faster in the last 200 pages, it's not very surprising that I read the first 500 or so in almost 2 months and than the last part in an evening and the morning afterwards. And the way it was tied together made it worth it for sure.
What got to me is the Irving's way of showing close-up examinations at times and drifting away for other, seemingly without regard to the importance of the event. The love triangle was one of the saddest and most realistically portrayed I ever encountered and throughout the story I was naviely hoping that given the author's approach to other issues, it would be solved through polyamory. Was grateful that the queer storyline wasn't the sad one for once.
The themes it tackles, especially abortion rights makes it painfull relevant as ever. It also touches on racial issues with care.
The story itself only got faster in the last 200 pages, it's not very surprising that I read the first 500 or so in almost 2 months and than the last part in an evening and the morning afterwards. And the way it was tied together made it worth it for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Abortion, and Racism
rockettemorton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
A masterpiece. Ain't no two way about it. Irving's cashmere-smooth prose makes this slow-burner of a narrative light sea-breeze. It's not particularly poetic or anything. Just thoroughly pleasant to experience the work of such a maestro. The characters feel, frankly, more real – more realistic – than people I know from real life. Not in the predictable sort of way. No, Irving simply accounts for everything and never leaves anything out of consideration. Furthermore, despite handling several very grim themes, he neither glosses over them, discarding their importance, nor does he focus on them to the point where it takes over the story. He acknowledges that shitty things exist in the world and that people react differently to them. This is despite how creative and lovely the characters – and the world they inhabit – are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Grief, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Violence, and Vomit
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