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mitrabird2010's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
my_corner_of_the_library's review against another edition
- 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
Every single character in this book was unique and special with a backstory that was completely their own. The fact that you barely needed to be told who was talking to identify who was speaking because their voices were all so distinct tells you just how masterfully these characters were developed. And yet...despite the fact that they were all so...themselves, I felt like I had a connection with each of them. I could identify people I knew in each character and see myself in each of them, as well.
As for the plot...I felt like I was taken on a ride. Just like anyone, when there is a mystery in a book I constantly look for hints to try and figure out the "big twist", and in this book every time I would think I had it nailed down Backman would show me that the only reason I thought that is because he lead me there on purpose. As soon as I was 100% convinced of my theory he would turn it around and tell me, "Nope! Try again." Only to find out that the things I was so focused on didn't really matter...in a beautiful way.
When it comes to the writing, I cannot express how moved I was. Backman has a way of mixing simple, straight to the point sentences with beautifully expressed sentiments that had me rethinking so many of my own feelings and also made me feel seen and validated in those feelings. If I was highlighting all the quotes that struck me hard in this book there would be entire chapters highlighted.
Solid 5/5
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Infertility, and Pregnancy
zerkleoflife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
emmazan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Blood and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer and Infidelity
mapscitiesandsongs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Dementia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
sarah_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death
mandi4886's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Police brutality, Stalking, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
katievh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Dementia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
alisonvh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: War
alisazhup's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Blood