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howeonearth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual assault
Moderate: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
abgraver97's review against another edition
4.0
Under the Rainbow had so many POVs and it was an amazing listen. I enjoyed all the different perspectives in the town of Big Burr.
litloulou's review against another edition
2.0
Nope. Didn’t do it for me. I thought it seemed too cliche and gave details I didn’t care about and didn’t wrap anything up and the perspectives were off and the format was clever but didn’t work for this imo
emg25's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Devoured in 24 hours. I thought the different perspectives were going to be a turn off, but seeing how different people moved through the same setting was really incredible. Highly suggest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Homophobia, and Emotional abuse
greyhuigris's review against another edition
2.0
2.5*
The premise of this book was interesting, and it really could have been either a very funny satire or a really emotional rollercoaster of a novel... instead, it reads as cliched and didactic.
One of the biggest problems with the book is that each chapter takes the perspective of a different person in Big Burr. Because of this, none of the characters are given enough time to really breathe and develop fully, and without the layers that could help these characters feel more fully realized, they come off as caricatures.
Beyond this, there really isn't much depth to the story. Things happen, but they don't seem to have much point. Why even include this?
I really wanted to like this, but unfortunately, everything just fell flat.
The premise of this book was interesting, and it really could have been either a very funny satire or a really emotional rollercoaster of a novel... instead, it reads as cliched and didactic.
One of the biggest problems with the book is that each chapter takes the perspective of a different person in Big Burr. Because of this, none of the characters are given enough time to really breathe and develop fully, and without the layers that could help these characters feel more fully realized, they come off as caricatures.
Beyond this, there really isn't much depth to the story. Things happen, but they don't seem to have much point.
Spoiler
One character is hit by a car at the end of one chapter. It then jumps to another character, and nothing comes of that other than finding out she is wheelchair-bound.I really wanted to like this, but unfortunately, everything just fell flat.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Celia Laskey's debut Under the Rainbow offers an intriguing peek into small town America and its relationship with the LGBTQ community.
Through a series of vignettes from different characters' perspectives, each chapter offers a glimpse into the Acceptance Across America (AAA) workers and townspeople's lives. Avery is uprooted from Los Angeles to Big Burr, KS when her mom accepts a position with AAA. She is struggling to be true to herself while also trying to keep her family's association with AAA under wraps. Linda is grieving a tragic loss and unexpectedly finds solace through volunteering with the AAA. Christine is a devout Christian who is adamantly opposed to the gay community and the AAA. David and his partner Miguel relocate to Big Burr and their life is quickly complicated by an older family member's medical issues and lack of gay community. Zach is a teenager struggling to fly under the radar and attention of his classmates. Gabe is an avid hunter and family man who questions the life he has made for himself. Henry blames the AAA when he makes a shocking discovery about a loved one. While each chapter is narrated by a specific character and their life in Big Burr, other characters sometimes overlap with the current narrator. The final chapter in the novel offers a brief glimpse of how many of the characters have fared long after the AAA have moved on from Big Burr.
Under the Rainbow is a fast-paced novel with an interesting cast of characters and distinctive plot. The characters are well-developed but some are more appealing and memorable than others. Some of the characters' actions and opinions are a bit stereotyped while others are refreshingly unique. Celia Laskey's debut is a thought-provoking novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Through a series of vignettes from different characters' perspectives, each chapter offers a glimpse into the Acceptance Across America (AAA) workers and townspeople's lives. Avery is uprooted from Los Angeles to Big Burr, KS when her mom accepts a position with AAA. She is struggling to be true to herself while also trying to keep her family's association with AAA under wraps. Linda is grieving a tragic loss and unexpectedly finds solace through volunteering with the AAA. Christine is a devout Christian who is adamantly opposed to the gay community and the AAA. David and his partner Miguel relocate to Big Burr and their life is quickly complicated by an older family member's medical issues and lack of gay community. Zach is a teenager struggling to fly under the radar and attention of his classmates. Gabe is an avid hunter and family man who questions the life he has made for himself. Henry blames the AAA when he makes a shocking discovery about a loved one. While each chapter is narrated by a specific character and their life in Big Burr, other characters sometimes overlap with the current narrator. The final chapter in the novel offers a brief glimpse of how many of the characters have fared long after the AAA have moved on from Big Burr.
Under the Rainbow is a fast-paced novel with an interesting cast of characters and distinctive plot. The characters are well-developed but some are more appealing and memorable than others. Some of the characters' actions and opinions are a bit stereotyped while others are refreshingly unique. Celia Laskey's debut is a thought-provoking novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
serialreader's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Hate crime
ladysmoke's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent narration throughout, fun story-very character driven, not much plot at all. Loved the depth of all the characters. As a Kansan myself, I found the description of the town and the people pretty accurate. I wish some task force would come to my hometown and teach people that the gays aren't dangerous sexual deviants.