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ellepalm'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: Child death, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Infertility
kry_yang's review against another edition
- 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
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!
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
izzykxte's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Suicide
toofondofbooks_'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, Body horror, Suicide, Child death, Death of parent, Death, and Ableism
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Body horror, Stalking, and Xenophobia
Minor: Excrement
cryptogay'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
2.0
Miracle Creek covers a lot of complicated territory. Much of this concerns the experimental medical treatments used on disabled children, especially autistic children. I don't think it handles this aspect of its story very well. A group of protesters against the medicalization of autism are portrayed as unpleasant, invasive, and aggressive. The parents of the autistic children directly involved in the story are written about with compassion despite one of them being revealed to be seriously physically and emotionally abusive to her son, even without getting into the various therapies she sends him to in attempts to "cure" his autism. In contrast, the autistic characters are never really given a voice. Yes, the two featured in the book are children, but autistic adults exist, and quite frankly make up the majority of the movements against the abusive "therapies" that are used on autistic people, primarily children. The fact that no autistic adults ever appear, and the two characters who actually openly speak about these treatments as abuse barely appear and are largely discredited, these things tilt the book towards endorsing this abuse, or at least parts of it. I don't know what Kim's intentions or feelings were with regard to this aspect of the story, but it really wasn't handled well.
Autism isn't a disease or an illness, its a brain structure, and it varies from person to person. It is not something that can be "cured", and it is not caused by vaccines. The therapies that claim to cure or treat autism vary from complete bunk to abuse and manipulation, and acting like they aren't these things is harmful to the children forced to undergo them.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Car accident, Confinement, Excrement, Infertility, Physical abuse, Stalking, Violence, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
sglance9's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Infidelity, and Suicide
sarzhaliu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Racism
ktkncd's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Infertility, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Car accident
n_asyikin_'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
3.5
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.
Graphic: Ableism, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Gaslighting and Fire/Fire injury