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mattyvreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Baldwin has an exceedingly rare understanding of humanity. He is able to show a character’s abject cruelty, show us why that character is the way they are, without trying to redeem or justify their actions. “This is true and this is also true.” We understand that character without forgiving them. By the same token, Baldwin can show the depth of, say, a mother’s love for her child and explain how she came to love him so much. We will fall in love with this character. And then he’ll go on to show us her disdain for her other son. There is nuance and depth in every line.
This story tackles religion, namely the oppressive weight of Christianity, and its (seemingly rare) healing qualities, as well. The way each character talks about religion is fascinating. These characters are G*d-fearing, not G*d-loving. They live terrified of sinning, and the anguish of Hell fire. Yet there is a line between living life to an impossible standard (never having sexual thoughts, never drinking, never feeling jealousy, etc..) and the other side. We see Christianity give John hope in his own head (even if it seems like he unwillingly submitted to the religion). We see Christianity steer bad people away from infidelity and violence, until those villains inevitably stray. So it seems largely ineffective, too.
It presents the good and the bad.
In The Fire Next Time, Baldwin states “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving.“ I believe that that assertion colors this entire text.
Loved this book and would love to read it again.
Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual violence
molliford'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Rape and Racial slurs
fatkingslug's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Body shaming, Gore, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia
theremightbecupcakes'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
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence
romeri'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
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
ohgull'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
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Infertility, Blood, Death of parent, Drug use, and Suicide
mcasey11'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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Minor: Suicide
bjdarby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Rape, Child abuse, Violence, and Police brutality
grace_farrimond'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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Child abuse, Suicide, Death, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Rape
Minor: Infertility