Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana

7 reviews

virgcole398's review

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I listened to it on audiobook. All the narrators did an amazing job!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Classism, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Body shaming

annamary54's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

This book is fantastic, I will definitely be recommending to everyone. Each characters struggle to just survive in the face of gentrification, and how their stories crossover is so captivating. These characters had so much perspective, it felt like I knew them. The chapter “Lite Feet” especially got to me, I was not expecting that. (iykyk) My other favorites were “Ms. Dallas,” “Camaraderie,” and “Federation for the Like-minded.” This book also captures the english language in a way that is rarely used in literature. Some of the best writing I’ve encountered on my current reading kick. I will say I struggled to get into the book since it’s not very plot driven (and I like a plot heavy book), but once I understood the flow of it I really enjoyed it. Especially once I reached “Ms. Dallas,” I couldn’t put it down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Classism

Moderate: Fatphobia and Child death

Minor: Violence

sydapel's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Like any collection of stories, some of these I liked more than others, but what I found really compelling is how effectively these fictional accounts show the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to low-income/subsidized housing in America. In particular, how easy it is for the system to work against you or how one expense or incident can have catastrophic effects on a basic need. The audiobook cast in this is also excellent, it's almost like listening to a podcast series it feels so immersive and personal. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Racism, Bullying, and Sexism

cassy_smith's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

I loved this book. Highly recommend the audiobook too. Each section is read by a different person and it really brings the stories to life. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Bullying, and Death

salemander's review

4.5

very beautifully written and tragic collection of stories. wasn’t a fan of the language and treatment of the chinese characters in one of the stories, it really wasn’t necessary. the mrs. davis and litefeet chapters made me so fucking sad for those kids, the education system is so fucked and i know those stories came from real experiences. overall a very interesting book and the way it was written phonetically was really cool!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Classism, Ableism, Fatphobia, Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual harassment

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

I don't know how to review this.   It was vivid, raw, and disturbing.   So I didn't "like" it,  but I'm glad I listened to it.   If you want to understand how privileged you are,  this book will help.    It's a series of monologs - better to listen to than read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Trafficking, Child death, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Gun violence, Medical content, and Toxic relationship

badmom's review

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Intriguing set of vignettes centered on people living in/associated with a Harlem apartment building targeted for gentrification.  The characters’ flaws are highlighted but with loving care; they struggle because they’re at the mercy of a racist & classist system. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Classism, and Racism

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Alcohol, and Bullying

Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, and Sexual content