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kleaf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Infertility, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Rape
annoyedhumanoid's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i'm impressed
hot take, i'm not that big a fan of Shakespeare because so many of his plots (at least, his tragedies) are like, if any one thing in this series of unfortunate events had gone differently then we wouldn't be in these tragic circumstances, except the series of unfortunate events is ridiculous and arbitrary. best example: in Hamlet (spoilers), when Hamlet stabs and kills Polonius, who was eavesdropping behind a curtain, because Hamlet thought he heard a rat. that's just undeniably stupid for a major plot point. Miracle Creek has the same concept—if anything had gone differently we could have avoided tragedy—but pulls it off expertly. Shakespeare could never??
could this be considered southern gothic? it's set in Virginia, nearly everyone is a grotesque character, and there's some truly disturbing content, plus themes of racism, sexism, and poverty.
this review has been completely shaped by my English class experience
cover design review: ★★★★½. love the colors, the scenery, and the burn holes, but it starts to feel crowded with the addition of glitter and stars. not a big fan of the typeface, makes me think of Papyrus 😬
hot take, i'm not that big a fan of Shakespeare because so many of his plots (at least, his tragedies) are like, if any one thing in this series of unfortunate events had gone differently then we wouldn't be in these tragic circumstances, except the series of unfortunate events is ridiculous and arbitrary. best example: in Hamlet (spoilers), when Hamlet stabs and kills Polonius, who was eavesdropping behind a curtain, because Hamlet thought he heard a rat. that's just undeniably stupid for a major plot point. Miracle Creek has the same concept—if anything had gone differently we could have avoided tragedy—but pulls it off expertly. Shakespeare could never??
could this be considered southern gothic? it's set in Virginia, nearly everyone is a grotesque character, and there's some truly disturbing content, plus themes of racism, sexism, and poverty.
this review has been completely shaped by my English class experience
cover design review: ★★★★½. love the colors, the scenery, and the burn holes, but it starts to feel crowded with the addition of glitter and stars. not a big fan of the typeface, makes me think of Papyrus 😬
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Ableism, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Chronic illness, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Child abuse, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Confinement, Excrement, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cancer, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Stalking, and Vomit
habertoes's review against another edition
The book did not address satisfactorily the inherent ableism in the plot. The MC owns a hyperbaric chamber company and multiple mothers bring their autistic children to 'treat' their autism. The children are young and not given any voice by the author. There is a group of protestors who see the problem and false promises with this hyperbaric treatment, but they are not given any credence and are treated like the villains. Unfortunately, this was enough to turn me off the story despite the quality writing and own voices depiction of a family of Korean immigrants.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Excrement, and Adult/minor relationship
Ableism against autistic children.theresablue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This book is incredibly ableist against autistic people. It perpetuates harmful stereotypes and promotes abusive behavior towards autistic children, framing it as 'a mother's love'. It also perpetuates the myth that vaccines cause autism and promotes the use of autism 'cures' like Miracle Mineral Solution (BLEACH). Both autistic characters within this book are young boys, one of whom is killed in a incredibly horrific way, the other's defining characteristics are that he smears his shit everywhere and ends the book institutionalized. None of this is substantially addressed in narrative and the book continually perpetuates the idea that autistic children are a burden to their parents, that the parents of autistic children are somehow special and worthy of admiration for loving and caring for their children despite them not being 'normal' and that autism can and should be cured.
I think the one redeeming factor of this book is the mother/daughter relationship between Young and Mary, but beside that, even ignoring the harmful and offensive ableism, this book's plot and characters are boring and repetitive. I don't know why it's so popular or why so many reviewers are so blind to the ableism within it.
I think the one redeeming factor of this book is the mother/daughter relationship between Young and Mary, but beside that, even ignoring the harmful and offensive ableism, this book's plot and characters are boring and repetitive. I don't know why it's so popular or why so many reviewers are so blind to the ableism within it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
greyetal's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Infertility
jessicat103's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
patriciadm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child death, and Rape
Moderate: Suicide and Adult/minor relationship
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
In this legal drama, a medical facility with alternative treatments for those who have "illnesses" such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy explodes. The mother of an Autistic child is accused of using this as a way to murder her son and put on trial.
This book is an amazing read. It's not just legal drama about a woman on trial for murdering her son, but it's also about mother's and the struggles they face with having an Autistic child. There is also a subplot of the Korean family who just immigrated to America and how their story entwines with this case. Both plots provide an emotional and interesting philosophical debate. Autism is on a spectrum of levels where some cases are mere severe than others making parents of Autistic children have strong opinions. The Korean family is trying to fit in with Americans by helping but things go wrong and half the family is unhappy here but they're not accepted. We get perspectives from everyone involved allowing the reader to see everyone's point of view and feelings on the subject. Everyone sees the situation differently and see it from another person at the same time puts a new light on things. You begin to realize things aren't always what you think when you first look at it. This story has twists and turns that will keep you reading for more.
This book is an amazing read. It's not just legal drama about a woman on trial for murdering her son, but it's also about mother's and the struggles they face with having an Autistic child. There is also a subplot of the Korean family who just immigrated to America and how their story entwines with this case. Both plots provide an emotional and interesting philosophical debate. Autism is on a spectrum of levels where some cases are mere severe than others making parents of Autistic children have strong opinions. The Korean family is trying to fit in with Americans by helping but things go wrong and half the family is unhappy here but they're not accepted. We get perspectives from everyone involved allowing the reader to see everyone's point of view and feelings on the subject. Everyone sees the situation differently and see it from another person at the same time puts a new light on things. You begin to realize things aren't always what you think when you first look at it. This story has twists and turns that will keep you reading for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Infertility
kry_yang's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'm a sucker for mystery books with an element of character-psychoanalysis (basically Celeste Ng's books lol), so when I read the description of this book I knew I had to pick it up.
And ohhhhh my godddd this book was INSANE. There were several points who I couldn't stop reading, and at the same time there were chapters that I had to pause because I couldn't possibly stomach what was going on. (TBH there's a ton of really triggering content in this book and I would def check out the trigger warnings before reading because this shit is HEAVY.)
The story touches upon immigration narratives, disability, and parenting. I kinda expected more analysis on Asian-American-ness (it's one of the main reasons I was drawn to the book in the first place). Knocking off 0.5 stars because I honestly found the Yoo family kind of disappointing. I have really high expectations when it comes to fiction that explores ASAM issues, and I felt that some of the backstories of the Korean-American characters felt a bit one-dimensional and cookie-cutter.
The other characters though--Elizabeth specifically--oh my god they ripped by heart out. Elizabeth's story is an incredible exploration of motherhood, and the incredible sacrifices that come with raising a neurodivergent child. Kim really does not hold back; she really digs into the psyches of her characters, and while some characters felt more compelling than others, the book overall was just an incredible(ly difficult) read.
Overall, I'd say this is book shines for its analysis and exploration of disability and parenting--and while POC/immigration/ASAM issues are definitely one aspect of the story, I didn't find that to be the most compelling part of the book.
Kim's language is also relatively straightforward--she does have some more lyrical sentences towards the ends of each chapter, but I found the language really accessible. I almost wish Kim wrote with a bit more *flowery* prose, just to make me ache even more :')
Miracle Creek is a "whodunnit" courtroom drama, blended with a slow-burn character exploration that really digs into each character's backstory and personality. I flew through this book in like 3-4 days and I look forward to reading more from Angie Kim in the future!
And ohhhhh my godddd this book was INSANE. There were several points who I couldn't stop reading, and at the same time there were chapters that I had to pause because I couldn't possibly stomach what was going on. (TBH there's a ton of really triggering content in this book and I would def check out the trigger warnings before reading because this shit is HEAVY.)
The story touches upon immigration narratives, disability, and parenting. I kinda expected more analysis on Asian-American-ness (it's one of the main reasons I was drawn to the book in the first place). Knocking off 0.5 stars because I honestly found the Yoo family kind of disappointing. I have really high expectations when it comes to fiction that explores ASAM issues, and I felt that some of the backstories of the Korean-American characters felt a bit one-dimensional and cookie-cutter.
The other characters though--Elizabeth specifically--oh my god they ripped by heart out. Elizabeth's story is an incredible exploration of motherhood, and the incredible sacrifices that come with raising a neurodivergent child. Kim really does not hold back; she really digs into the psyches of her characters, and while some characters felt more compelling than others, the book overall was just an incredible(ly difficult) read.
Overall, I'd say this is book shines for its analysis and exploration of disability and parenting--and while POC/immigration/ASAM issues are definitely one aspect of the story, I didn't find that to be the most compelling part of the book.
Kim's language is also relatively straightforward--she does have some more lyrical sentences towards the ends of each chapter, but I found the language really accessible. I almost wish Kim wrote with a bit more *flowery* prose, just to make me ache even more :')
Miracle Creek is a "whodunnit" courtroom drama, blended with a slow-burn character exploration that really digs into each character's backstory and personality. I flew through this book in like 3-4 days and I look forward to reading more from Angie Kim in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicide
n_asyikin_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
A classic thriller with twists-and-turns that will leave you hooked to the very end. Told through the perspectives of multiple characters, whom themselves were uncertain about the answers, meant you'd be gripped into a constant game of whodunnit; the unravelling given to you in crumbs. Moreover, having the narratives filtered through each individual character provided a layer of mystery, and a dash of foreshadowing through character study.
That being said, the book did explored difficult themes - which may send the wrong message to those naive on the topic.
Strong warning that ableism was hugely depicted in the story, & I have certain qualms about that contributed to my hesitancy to give this book a high score. I don't have the type of disability/conditions shown in the book, but I've personally experienced some of the ableist treatments & the challenges resulting from that; Henry's forced masking, & his feelings about himself, felt too close to home. It was infuriating to read, & by no means do I think Kim was supporting that view; there was a counter-narrative, criticizing & rightly calling out how abusive ableism is. But I did think that it could be addressed more explicitly at the end.
The primary theme explored through the plot was the complication (i.e. mess) of one's action & intent (& even, unintentional consequences). Although the act of criminality was accounted for, I thought the story arc relating to ableism ended rather abstractly; very little tangible discussion about how it affect its primary victims: disabled people. Perhaps, that's also the issue I have, the heavy focus on the guardians instead of the individuals experiencing it.
I hope that when people read this, they would realise how disgustingly dangerous ableist views are; literally, abusing & dehumanizing disabled people, no matter the "good" (i.e. selfish) intent one has. Also, any criticism relating to "burden of care" should lay in the system; although I sympathize with the parents & acknowledge the emotional toll they may face in consequence of the systemic failure, I felt like the children were "blamed"; again, the centering of the guardians erased the effects of ableism on its primary victims. If Kim was to extol more on that, it would've made the story stronger, & more just.
Another theme I thought interesting was how abstract & theoretical the court proceedings (i.e. justice system) could be. One of the highlights was how "science" was manipulated by and/or towards science illeterate people & system; note that forensic "science" techniques aren't standardized with many being not valid and reliable in their methods & interpretations. Also, the injustice that can results in the semantics of things, specifically when they were discussing about abuse. Then again, I liked how that scene implied how we, as a society, often normalize abusive interactions (e.g. parent(s)-child(ren)).
Overall, Miracle Creek would suit a fan of mystery. Kim's approach in terms of the story-structure & narrations made for a highly engaging read. Although, I think readers should educate themselves on ableism (especially relating to autism) to fully grasp the story.
That being said, the book did explored difficult themes - which may send the wrong message to those naive on the topic.
Strong warning that ableism was hugely depicted in the story, & I have certain qualms about that contributed to my hesitancy to give this book a high score. I don't have the type of disability/conditions shown in the book, but I've personally experienced some of the ableist treatments & the challenges resulting from that; Henry's forced masking, & his feelings about himself, felt too close to home. It was infuriating to read, & by no means do I think Kim was supporting that view; there was a counter-narrative, criticizing & rightly calling out how abusive ableism is. But I did think that it could be addressed more explicitly at the end.
The primary theme explored through the plot was the complication (i.e. mess) of one's action & intent (& even, unintentional consequences). Although the act of criminality was accounted for, I thought the story arc relating to ableism ended rather abstractly; very little tangible discussion about how it affect its primary victims: disabled people. Perhaps, that's also the issue I have, the heavy focus on the guardians instead of the individuals experiencing it.
I hope that when people read this, they would realise how disgustingly dangerous ableist views are; literally, abusing & dehumanizing disabled people, no matter the "good" (i.e. selfish) intent one has. Also, any criticism relating to "burden of care" should lay in the system; although I sympathize with the parents & acknowledge the emotional toll they may face in consequence of the systemic failure, I felt like the children were "blamed"; again, the centering of the guardians erased the effects of ableism on its primary victims. If Kim was to extol more on that, it would've made the story stronger, & more just.
Another theme I thought interesting was how abstract & theoretical the court proceedings (i.e. justice system) could be. One of the highlights was how "science" was manipulated by and/or towards science illeterate people & system; note that forensic "science" techniques aren't standardized with many being not valid and reliable in their methods & interpretations. Also, the injustice that can results in the semantics of things, specifically when they were discussing about abuse. Then again, I liked how that scene implied how we, as a society, often normalize abusive interactions (e.g. parent(s)-child(ren)).
Overall, Miracle Creek would suit a fan of mystery. Kim's approach in terms of the story-structure & narrations made for a highly engaging read. Although, I think readers should educate themselves on ableism (especially relating to autism) to fully grasp the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Gaslighting and Fire/Fire injury