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magneto's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
As others have stated, this book needed an editor to both cut down on overall length and also work on the pacing of the novel. The first half is a slog, building things up for the latter half, and then the final parts of the story felt rushed given the glacial pace the story initially unfolded at.
Despite being a fan of generational, woman-focused stories, even when the characters may not be particularly likeable, this was a challenging book to get through. The main focus is on generational trauma and understandably is not a pleasant read, managing to throw in nearly every content warning imaginable in one story. It's incredibly depressing at times and I often had to set this aside, taking almost 4 months to finish it due to pacing and content.
If you are in any way squeamish, particularly in regards to medical content and bodily injuries, deformities and mutilation, consider passing on this book. Leprosy is a key facet to the book and the author does not shy away from descriptions of sufferers' bodies, nor does it describe lightly any injuries or illnesses characters have. Definitely not a book for the faint at heart. Glad to have finished but would not recommend to many.
Despite being a fan of generational, woman-focused stories, even when the characters may not be particularly likeable, this was a challenging book to get through. The main focus is on generational trauma and understandably is not a pleasant read, managing to throw in nearly every content warning imaginable in one story. It's incredibly depressing at times and I often had to set this aside, taking almost 4 months to finish it due to pacing and content.
If you are in any way squeamish, particularly in regards to medical content and bodily injuries, deformities and mutilation, consider passing on this book. Leprosy is a key facet to the book and the author does not shy away from descriptions of sufferers' bodies, nor does it describe lightly any injuries or illnesses characters have. Definitely not a book for the faint at heart. Glad to have finished but would not recommend to many.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Abandonment, Addiction, Drug use, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Classism, Colonisation, Medical content, Medical trauma, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Rape
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Child death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
Minor: Vomit, Cannibalism, Deportation, Gun violence, War, Excrement, Sexism, Slavery, and Trafficking
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