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mikepalumbo's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
literaryintersections's review against another edition
- 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
I picked up Blacktop Wasteland earlier this year - I had it on my shelf for a minute and was in a book slump. Lord. Lord. Lord. I finished it in 2 days, reeling with visions of car chases, people catching on fire, and small southern towns complexly created with racism, community, poverty, booze, and car grease.
The second I saw ATSB I preordered it. Then waited too many days for B&N to deliver it (lol). And was once again blown away. Cosby’s use of language is unmatched: descriptive and clear, vividly crafting a story that is lush and inventive. The characters jump off the page and feel like real life - Titus especially felt 3D. Racism and misogyny, homophobia and poverty, the bastardization of religion, all intertwined with love and family, Black man vulnerability and community. The violence is horrible but you can’t look away, turning page after page to try to get a glimpse of the antagonist - to understand what would make a person do such horrible things.
No one comes out unscathed in this book. And it left me thinking about these complexities far longer after I closed the cover. Do yourself a favor. Read ATSB. Then read Blacktop Wasteland. And join me on this journey as an absolute fan of Cosby’s work.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, and Death of parent
rainysundaybooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Animal death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Murder
tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
I plan on continuing to read Cosby, as a queer woman I do understand the desire to immerse yourself in and explore the subculture to which you belong. Especially when that culture is largely erased and oppressed by the dominant images. But a part of me does wonder if Cosby’s love of, and questioning of, his culture will include more feminism in the future?
CW for ALL the violence in this book. Including towards children.
Graphic: Racism, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
averydriver's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
jamie_rich's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
feralbookwife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
chessakat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cancer and Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, and Drug use
lcg527's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail