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morganperks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Fatphobia, Death, and Blood
lily_k8y's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, all the way to the ending. I've been getting used to incomplete or unsatisfactory endings but this one left me satisfied when I turned the last page. Don't know if I would have appreciated the book as a child though with it's darker humour.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Racism, Murder, Death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Animal death
mengzhenreads's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Super entertaining and just absolutely delightful. I had so much fun reading this book and it definitely will be one I'll be revisiting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Fatphobia
wolfiegrrrl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
The first time I read this book, I was in middle school and I fell in love with it. I loved the underdog story and how all of the plot lines were revealed to be so intricately interwoven. More than a decade later, I uncovered my copy and rereading it still brought me the same feelings of enthusiasm and interest that I remembered from my first experience with it.
Through the story, the author has a lot to say about racism, classism, the prison pipeline, and the exploitative nature of detainment centers. There is also an impressive smattering of commentary about the things adults do and say that (either intentionally or unintentionally) leave a lasting negative impression on how children view themselves. As an adult with a more informed perspective on these topics, I now understand how a story set in Texas turned out to have all of these elements, so I found myself stopping to let certain details sink in that I know I missed as a kid. I think the fact that it isn't preachy, instead painting a straightforward picture for the readers and saying "you decide if this is right or wrong," is what imprinted this story on my heart.
I only recently learned that there is a sequel and I am looking forward to seeing what happened to the other boys from Camp Green Lake!
Through the story, the author has a lot to say about racism, classism, the prison pipeline, and the exploitative nature of detainment centers. There is also an impressive smattering of commentary about the things adults do and say that (either intentionally or unintentionally) leave a lasting negative impression on how children view themselves. As an adult with a more informed perspective on these topics, I now understand how a story set in Texas turned out to have all of these elements, so I found myself stopping to let certain details sink in that I know I missed as a kid. I think the fact that it isn't preachy, instead painting a straightforward picture for the readers and saying "you decide if this is right or wrong," is what imprinted this story on my heart.
I only recently learned that there is a sequel and I am looking forward to seeing what happened to the other boys from Camp Green Lake!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Confinement
Minor: Vomit, Death, Animal death, Fatphobia, Blood, and Murder
roobiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Racism
This book is regarding Stanley who is sent to camp because they stole some shoes, they maintain they are innocent. It also has a sub storyline that revolves around the past of the place the camp is in which involves some racism. It is graphic nor I feel done for shock etc. it fits the story and is mild/a small part of the bookfemme_en_feu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cursing, and Death
oracle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, and Gun violence
paigieodo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Holes is a beautiful, serendipitous adventure with simply the purest example of love and friendship I've seen in a while. For those of us who read Holes as a kid, it is so worth revisiting. Reading it is like finding small moments of magic hidden in seemingly grim places. This novel is both light-hearted and deeply reflective of the horrifying state of prisons and juvenile detention. I loved it more than I could've ever imagined loving it as an adult.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Confinement, and Violence
emmaward55's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Racism
bluebells's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Had such an enjoyable experience re-reading this book as an adult, the first time being when I was at school for English class. It is just as wonderful as I remember, and I immediately wanted to go back to the start and read the whole thing again once I finished. Louis Sachar does a great job with painting a picture with his words, I had no trouble trying to imagine what the scene looked like. Sachar ties the plot together with ease, and every little detail weaves as one in the end - it's so clever. The characters are loveable but all have their flaws, Stanley and Zero's relationship is forever one of my favourites. Holes will be a book I will definitely return to again, I had so much fun reading this again - and unfortunately completed this quicker than I would've liked as I just couldn't put it down. I look forward to the next time I pick it up again! Deserves so much praise.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Racism
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