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marsman_mars's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
- 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
They were right. Horrible. Dont do it.
chrissypink80's review against another edition
I know this is awful, but I gave up on this book. I couldn't get into it or the characters. Maybe I'll try again another time. It has great reviews, so maybe you just need to wait it out. Right now, I'm not feeling the love.
lrooks98's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I had high hopes for this book after hearing so much praise for it, and I started out thinking, Ok, it's slow but the prose is something to acknowledge. And then by the time we get to the car crash, I knew what was going to happen, because only the most horrible option is available in this book.
By the end, it was monotonous trauma porn. I was begging to let go too.
I understand wanting to write about abuse victims and give light to disabled characters, but this was done in a way that delighted in their misfortune, and I really found it to be grotesque within the last two hours of the audiobook. It's also massively long, which I think is poor craftmanship on the author's part. There's being wordy, and there's being repetitive, and the author is the latter--four sentences saying the same thing before we could move on to a slightly different thought.
If this book had been half as long and less reveling in sorrow, I think it would be worthy of the praise it's gotten. As is, I could never recommend it to anyone.
By the end, it was monotonous trauma porn. I was begging to let go too.
I understand wanting to write about abuse victims and give light to disabled characters, but this was done in a way that delighted in their misfortune, and I really found it to be grotesque within the last two hours of the audiobook. It's also massively long, which I think is poor craftmanship on the author's part. There's being wordy, and there's being repetitive, and the author is the latter--four sentences saying the same thing before we could move on to a slightly different thought.
If this book had been half as long and less reveling in sorrow, I think it would be worthy of the praise it's gotten. As is, I could never recommend it to anyone.
megkinghorn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Ableism, Self harm, Addiction, Death, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Mental illness
tkdon2590's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely heartbreaking book! Such beautifully written characters. The feelings of each character ,especially Jude ,are so well articulated that you can feel every heartbreaking emotion. If you have struggled with mental health issues you will know how real the writing is .
grumpikatz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Rape
mllejoyeuxnoel's review against another edition
5.0
There are some characters who will stay with you for life. Jude St. Francis is one of the greats, and I'll carry him always in my heart. I loved this book for its beauty and its poignancy - every page of it.