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islamaunder21'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
queerloras's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Outing, Blood, and Hate crime
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide
bookedbymadeline'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
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Violence, and Outing
Moderate: Suicide, Gaslighting, Confinement, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia and Infertility
higherwvrlvck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime and Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia and Abortion
Besides one scene towards the end of the novel in Part IV, I don't think there's anything violently graphic, but there are plenty of sex scenes that go into moderate detail. This is the only scene that might be severely triggering for contemporary readers. The attitudes and cultural values of late 1950s Britain are present, so that includes misogyny which I think Bethan Roberts begins discussions about the possible tensions between Patrick and Tom's misogyny (and from characters like Sylvie's husband) and Marion's homophobia several times that are very interesting.memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing and Lesbophobia
steffan_tastic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Outing, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Vomit and Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny and Lesbophobia
ts_anne13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Homophobia
apiora215's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual content
hannahbailey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A well written book -- the setting was particularly well crafted. I could really sense the tense and unforgiving atmosphere both of the time and in between the characters. I hope that the author made these characters deliberately unlikeable, if so, then its excellent storytelling. I'm still unsure whether this novel is a product of its time (2012 :/) or a novel ahead of its time in that it leaves you feeling conflicted. That probably doesn't make sense unless you've read the book, but Marion's actions were unexpected and pretty shocking. I didn't really sympathise her, although I felt like the narrative was perhaps asking readers to, which is why I'm unsure of the author's intent here!
This is a very sad and depressing book, do not pick this up if you're looking to read about queer joy -- you won't find it here!
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide, Police brutality, Terminal illness, and Confinement
booksbutmakeitgay's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Violence, Terminal illness, Sexism, Outing, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Grief, and Forced institutionalization