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ayumi_can_read's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Classism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Death of parent, War, Alcohol, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Racial slurs, Chronic illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
vemilla's review
- 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
3.25
There were times where I wanted to stop reading but I kept pushing through, even when I was ready to close it. One of the few things I appreciate though is how he managed to place in every character that had come through in his life to remind him of humanity, both good and bad. Although, there were times where I couldn't remember everyone (it's a lot of characters), it's important to not only tell Bulosan's life, but to tell others lives as well. No matter where one is from or what ethnicity, there are always good and bad within everyone, flaws and all.
Moderate: Xenophobia, Cursing, Violence, and Gun violence
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Rape, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Infidelity, Hate crime, Gun violence, Grief, Deportation, Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Classism, Chronic illness, Child death, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Sexism
scottyreadsstuff'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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty
whatannikareads's review
4.0
I was sucked into the middle parts. It felt like I was reliving his own pains and all of the people he met. However, the first and fourth parts were a bit more difficult to get through. It was a sort of slow build in the first, and I lost interest when there were so many new names introduced and it strayed away from his personal narrative and more on the political aspects.
However, this was a really enlightening book. I think it's really important we keep pushing for young people to read it as it captures Filipino American history up close and personal—such a highly neglected facet of the history of this country. Instead of reading about Filipinos in a history book written by a white people, learn how Filipinos were discriminated, killed, and left with nothing on a daily basis. Bulosan's heart is so tangible in his writing, and I hope he knows somewhere that his work is still being read almost 100 years later.
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Sexual content, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Death, Alcoholism, and Addiction