Scan barcode
cjordahl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
It's a beautiful, touching novel with gorgeous poetic writing. I was sometimes tripped up by the word choices and sentence structures. But it's a small complaint, really. And maybe it's not truly a complaint, and more an observation of something I actually value, which is unique, surprising writing. That kind of writing requires extra effort from the reader, and must give a payoff for the effort, which this novel does. Might be worth 5 stars, but I'm giving 4 because it didn't fully capture me like my favorite 5-star reads do. I didn't always feel eager to get back to the book, and during reading I did sometimes find my mind wandering. These complaints are not as big as they might sound though! Especially the mind wandering -- the book requires, and rewards, effort and attention, and fills you up, and I think the best way to read this book is to recognize when it's best to put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Suicide, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Police brutality
More...