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izzywoo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, and Violence
solenodon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
stubbornjerk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I appreciate its blunt cartoonish-ness though, it suspends your disbelief for a while. An orphanage for difficult, magical children visited by a dull, old caseworker who does his best to do right by them. His world gets a little less dull when meeting the unorthodox orphanage at Marsyas and its owner (or, master, however weird that sounds on paper). It writes itself like a rom-com, and it kind of is. A really cartoonish, quirky, and charming rom-com with a lot of little kids running around.
I found myself growing to like this book even after the initial chapters. It was slow-going at first, and the turn wasn't as subtle as it was fast. The narration itself wanting both to put us in Linus' head (especially in cases of extreme anxiety) while also keeping us out of it (in this case, when he starts warming up to the children).
A little nitpick of mine while reading this book was that I couldn't place its time period or place. It deems itself to be placed in the South but the speech patterns for some were suggestively British. There are scenes where it suggests that it is set in the present (record stores telling one of the children that they liked old music and the existence of computers), but Linus still has to send correspondences and reports through the post and if it were placed in America, the speech patterns would also suggest that this would technically be a period piece on top of its magical realism.
Again, this is a cartoonish rom-com of a children's-not-YA book banking on the fiction of a fake marginalized group, but so maybe expecting it to be a little less like that would be disingenuous. The criticism exists though.
Here, on the other hand are some very problematic things I found about it:
- That the concept of children in homes like these were allegorical to the abduction and institutionalization of Indigenous children is a tad concerning, seeing as there is not a single child of color.
- There's a lot of rampant fatphobia in this book, coming from the narrative character and the people he used to work with.
- There were a lot of Whoopi Epiphany Speeches that kind of feel awkward.
- We also have a Black woman who fulfills a caretaker role
and is a being of magic , and though the book doesn't treat her badly, one should be mindful of the fallings of tropes like these.
Overall, despite its flaws, it's a cheesy rom-com of a book that reads like a dated children's movie on the vein of Klaus and maybe a bit of The Parent Trap. It is what it is and despite all of that, is kind of stronger than the sum of its parts.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, and Violence
sophiethebookishturtle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I am but paper. Brittle and thin. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. I get written on, and I can never be used again. These scratches are a history. They’re a story. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. I am parched parchment. I have lines. I have holes. Get me wet, and I melt. Light me on fire, and I burn. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. I tear. I am but paper. Brittle and thin.”
What a ride... I did not expect this to have such an impact on me. The premise was interesting enough for me to read, but I thought that it would be the usual 3-4 star reads. This book was absolutely beautiful. From the moment I began reading, it had this whimsical feeling. With every word and action done by each character, I had this animated style of enactment in my brain. Or perhaps, a live-action enactment in the style of "A Series of Unfortunate Events". I would love for this book to be adapted into a film :)
My heart was in a constant state of awe as I read this book due to how pure and wonderfully written it was. The dialogue, the actions, and how the characters were portrayed were perfectly splendid and nuanced. I have categorized this as an adult book due to the main character's age, however I believe that this is suitable for all ages. The messages in this book are ones that all ages may relate to and carry as tools in their daily lives. They don't sound pretentious and were written in such a simple way for all ages to understand while also giving that sparkle, that impact. Each character, all of which had made permanent homes in my heart, were also given the right amount of attention and loving by the author. I understood why Linus did what he did, and I would have done the same. Those kids deserve good things, no matter their differences or qualities.
This book is different from what I would usually read. I mostly look for action, thrill, and mystery. Despite my preferences, I still absolutely loved this. I found no faults in this book and would be glad to say that it is now one of my favorites of all time. TJ Klune, I'll be looking out for your other novels ;)
In one sentence: A comforting and feel-good book to read with valuable lessons to carry for life.
Rating: 5 stars, chef's kiss
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death of parent
vkodhai's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Violence
lucystolethesky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
readerette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse and Racism
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Grief
staraice's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, and Xenophobia
axelstudies's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, and Religious bigotry
podanotherjessi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'll also note that the audiobook made me feel a little like I was being talked down to. I don't know if it was the prose or the narration itself, which is why I specify the audiobook. It was very simple prose, and the tone just felt condescending. It was the kind of audiobook that I picked up as a kid and made me swear off audiobooks for the next 10 years. It does get better later in the book - or maybe I just got used to it - but something to be aware of.
Characters: 6
Plot: 7
Setting: 9
General appeal: 7
Writing style: 6
Originality: 9
Ending: 8
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Hate crime, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Confinement
Minor: Cannibalism