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balfies'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
4.5
This one had a slow start for me. I struggled to get into it for a bit - this was actually a DNF for me earlier this year that I gave another go. But the second act was gripping. And the voice!! A really sophisticated, earthy, grounded narration with sprigs of magical realism. Really enjoyed this one once I was in the right mindset for it.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Vomit, Gun violence, Grief, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Racism, Colonisation, Child abuse, Blood, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Death, Cursing, Alcoholism, Violence, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Hate crime, Genocide, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
ellie_reed'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
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
mikki7'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
5.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Violence
anouks_books'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
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Violence, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Racism, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug use
Minor: Abortion, Homophobia, and Miscarriage
rivqa'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
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Pedophilia and Child abuse
storytimewithlily's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Colonisation, and Pedophilia
booksandcat'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
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Colonisation, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Vomit
mmsnz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Racism
lilcoppertop'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Police brutality, Misogyny, Incest, Homophobia, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Violence
bookdragon217'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
Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko was about Kerry, a black queer Aboriginal woman who comes home after many years because her grandfather is dying and she needs to help save their ancestral land. Kerry is not your typical protagonist. She lives life on her terms, rides a motorcycle and commits some crimes of survival along the way. She's considered the black sheep of the family because she has "too much lip". She's not afraid to take up space and use her voice.
This book was funny but also heartbreaking at the same time. The author tackled difficult topics in a lighthearted way. Each character was flawed, complex and redeemable. The pacing was perfect for when the secrets were finally revealed. I gained perspective about the Indigenous experience of the Goorie people and I can definitely see similarities in overarching themes relevant to the conversation of white supremacy and colonialism. There was also a cute romance that blossomed that did not take away from the core of the novel.
Themes that resonated with me were:
-Black and Indigenous people are not safe anywhere on the globe and police brutality continues to plague their communities at higher rates.
-Generational trauma from removal, genocide and forced assimilation continues to plague Indigenous communities. Alcoholism and mental health are a direct result.
-Sacred lands of Indigenous people continue to be a target of capitalism.
-Women continue to be oppressed by misogyny and patriarchy. When women do not confirm they face threat of violence or are given negative labels.
If you're a fan of wise cracking, swearing like a sailor, badass protagonist types, this one's for you. I'm sad I have to return it to the library because I loved this one. This was a great choice for book club because this one packs a punch and brings up lots of themes to explore for discussion. It will be hard for me to stop thinking about Kerry and her family.
Rating: 4.5 🔥
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Incest, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Abortion, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Sexual content