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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
http://thebooksupplier.com/2011/08/08/review-if-you-come-softly/
I’m so underwhelmed and disappointed :(. I honestly don’t really know what to say.
If You Come Softly is about Ellie, a white Jewish teen, who falls in love with Jeremiah, who is black. Unfortunately, there are a lot of consequences for the two of them together as a couple.
It sounds like a pretty decent premise? Sort of a Romeo and Juliet vibe to it (which I hate that play with a burning passion). But I had high hopes for this book, but there were just so many issues that made it unenjoyable for me.
For starters, everything is underdeveloped. The characters, the romance, the twist, everything is just rushed and has no time to develop.
First, the female protagonist, Ellie, didn’t have much of a personality. It was all about how she met Jeremiah and instantly fell in love with him, we, the readers, are never given an insight into her personality. I also just found her to be unlikeable. On the other hand, Jeremiah was a more well developed character. Sure, he also instantly fell in love with Ellie (because you know, mutual love at first sight is very common 🙄) but he is given more of a personality. We learn Jeremiah is a basketball player and has dreams of going into the NBA, and we learn how his sad past did not break his spirit. Ellie, sadly didn’t have anything interesting going for her.
Now, I basically already mentioned the romance and how quick it was, but really it was quick. Like I blinked and then, BAM! They are instantly in love. I honestly hate this troupe so much in books because I find it so unrealistic (and because I love some tension, hehe). But really though, are you going to see someone and instantly fall in love with them? Sure, I’ve never been in love before but I don’t think that’s how it works. I could be wrong though I don’t know.
Lastly, i don’t think I’ve never said this about a book before, but it was too short. Due to this only being 181 pages, which most people could read in a day, it causes everything to be rushed. If this book was at least 300 pages, I felt like we would be given more insight on Ellie’s personality and that big twist at the end.
Overall this book had a very promising premise and focused on an issue that is unfortunately still relevant to this day, despite this book being 20 years old. Sadly, it just wasn’t well executed :(
If You Come Softly is about Ellie, a white Jewish teen, who falls in love with Jeremiah, who is black. Unfortunately, there are a lot of consequences for the two of them together as a couple.
It sounds like a pretty decent premise? Sort of a Romeo and Juliet vibe to it (which I hate that play with a burning passion). But I had high hopes for this book, but there were just so many issues that made it unenjoyable for me.
For starters, everything is underdeveloped. The characters, the romance, the twist, everything is just rushed and has no time to develop.
First, the female protagonist, Ellie, didn’t have much of a personality. It was all about how she met Jeremiah and instantly fell in love with him, we, the readers, are never given an insight into her personality. I also just found her to be unlikeable. On the other hand, Jeremiah was a more well developed character. Sure, he also instantly fell in love with Ellie (because you know, mutual love at first sight is very common 🙄) but he is given more of a personality. We learn Jeremiah is a basketball player and has dreams of going into the NBA, and we learn how his sad past did not break his spirit. Ellie, sadly didn’t have anything interesting going for her.
Now, I basically already mentioned the romance and how quick it was, but really it was quick. Like I blinked and then, BAM! They are instantly in love. I honestly hate this troupe so much in books because I find it so unrealistic (and because I love some tension, hehe). But really though, are you going to see someone and instantly fall in love with them? Sure, I’ve never been in love before but I don’t think that’s how it works. I could be wrong though I don’t know.
Lastly, i don’t think I’ve never said this about a book before, but it was too short. Due to this only being 181 pages, which most people could read in a day, it causes everything to be rushed. If this book was at least 300 pages, I felt like we would be given more insight on Ellie’s personality and that big twist at the end.
Overall this book had a very promising premise and focused on an issue that is unfortunately still relevant to this day, despite this book being 20 years old. Sadly, it just wasn’t well executed :(
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
:'(
Sweet and sad.
Sweet and sad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Police brutality
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a really beautiful, powerful, quiet book. And it's as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.
*3.5
If you come as softly
as the wind within the trees
You may hear what I hear
See what sorrow sees
If you come softly is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but this time around Romeo is black, and as an interracial couple they face discrimination
The story was very cute, and yes it was very insta-love but it was still cute. It was told from memory and thus it had a whole dreamy atmosphere. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if the book had been longer & the characters more developed, but it was still a cute little story.
If you come as softly
as the wind within the trees
You may hear what I hear
See what sorrow sees
If you come softly is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but this time around Romeo is black, and as an interracial couple they face discrimination
The story was very cute, and yes it was very insta-love but it was still cute. It was told from memory and thus it had a whole dreamy atmosphere. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if the book had been longer & the characters more developed, but it was still a cute little story.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No