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afranke2016's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Death, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Rape, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Infidelity, Incest, Homophobia, Grief, and Child abuse
amayalo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Cancer, Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Violence
leilorenzo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It is also necessary.
It's difficult to call it beautiful when it took so long to get through given the dmany breaks needed scattered throughout in order to... You know, still feel ok.
The narration is from the girl's perspective, some kind of "stream of thought", except it is full of breaking points, repetitions and quite nonsensical, so the girl's stream of thought is something else entirely, and it reflects, I believe, how broken she feels.
It is a trigger warning in itself, so be mindful of that. Very graphic many times.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Sexual harassment, Child death, Violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Rape, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Suicide
dashes101's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
As an experience: this book is maybe a 3.5 star read. Its difficult and challenging with very, very few hopeful moments. The relationship between the main character and her brother (to me) felt underdeveloped in their youth and hence the end of the book didn't have the same impact as I felt it could have had. The ending however, is beautifully written, and I really did enjoy it. I also understand the different themes the book juggled (sexuality, coming of age, and religion) but I felt like there was a lot happening all the time that wasn't really developed (?). Things just happened with no real need or reason, which is very fair because that's how life is! But it led it to be a little bland at times. I also understand the reasoning for the main character's sexuality 'growth' (not the right word) but it was extremely uncomfortable to read about.
As a piece of literature: probably 4 / 4.5 stars. I love how unique and aggressive the style is -- it draws you in and persuades you to keep reading. It's almost as if the writing is another character that improves the characters in the novel. I also commend McBride for sticking through and getting this book published after 9 years of rejections. It's definitely worth a read (IF you look through the warnings first and are in a good head space) but don't expect an easy read.
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Suicide, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol
richthegreat's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love stream of consciousness writing, and for me this book did not disappoint, her writing is absolutely stunning, but you have to like that sort of thing. If you can't manage Woolf, or Joyce then don't bother here, as McBride is even more.
That is where my praise ends, this book is pure violence and I would have never read it had I known. There is so much rape, and hate and incest and trauma. The book is trauma, only read it if you are prepared. I have nothing to say that is positive about the plot it is essentially just trauma being passively and actively inflicted on the main character, by herself, others and the catholic church.
For me I can't separate the content from the stunning prose, I found the book so triggering and upsetting that no amount of excellent writing can make up for it. I cannot emphasise enough that you MUST be extremely careful if you undertake to read this book.
Personally if I never read another book about a person getting abused and then engaging in horrendous self hate I will be just fine. I know this stuff happens, and I understand the human capacity to inflict pain on ourselves and others, but I can't read about it anymore, not on this scale.
I am happy to be challenged on my view of this, I appreciate as a man I may not understand the full authenticity of the lead characters emotions.
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, Self harm, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Grief, and Incest