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kristinvdt's review
5.0
It's been so long since I read this, but I remember loving it and making all my friends read it.
lchatham9's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
constantreader_mh's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.25
dombrh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
there were many parts of this book that were extremely hard to read for one reason or another. i don’t think i’ve ever been so angry, annoyed, and disgusted while reading a book. with that said, i think it’s a fantastic story, and it’ll probably stick with me for awhile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, and Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse
kenziestevenson's review
4.0
It feels long and overwritten at times (plot-wise), but Lamb is able to bring every storyline introduced full circle and connect it in a way at the end so that you feel you've been given a satisfying conclusion to all of the hours you've put into reading this monster of a book.
Favorite quote: "What are our stories if not the mirrors we hold up to our fears?" p. 609
Favorite quote: "What are our stories if not the mirrors we hold up to our fears?" p. 609
tommo76's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hilltroy99's review
5.0
Wow. This was really sad almost the entire way through. The main character is not a very good person, but Lamb's writing style and perspective keeps him sympathetic, and seeing how he grows by the end makes the 900-page journey worth it. This is one of my favorite books in a really long time and I'm glad I read it.
hopecaldwell's review
4.0
Having discovered Lamb from another book, I found this one lurking on a shelf and decided to give it a try. Lamb is definitely a true storyteller and delves in complicated, serious issues with engaging characters and plot. Like his other, this book is not for the faint of heart - and at 897 pages is a committment - but I found it a worthwhile way to learn about mental illness.
blebbing's review
5.0
“I am not a smart man, particularly, but one day, at long last, I stumbled from the dark woods of my own, and my family’s, and my country’s past, holding in my hands these truths: that love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness; that mongrels make good dogs; that the evidence of God exists in the roundness of things.
This much, at least, I’ve figured out. I know this much is true.”
This much, at least, I’ve figured out. I know this much is true.”