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fancyjess_party's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of parent, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Self harm, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
rosietomyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, War, Stalking, and Addiction
smilagros's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Sexism
md3'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Suicide, Death, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Misogyny, Death of parent, Blood, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Gun violence
tnm94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: War and Violence
griffl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: War, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Child death, and Domestic abuse
rubymajor's review against another edition
3.75
The book definitely wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I picked it up expecting a more of a fantasy/magical realism book, but it turned out to be more of a historical fiction with a sprinkling of magical realism. Coming from that perspective, I was pretty disappointed that the magic of the bookshop was largely ignored or glossed over. It seemed more of an extraneous detail, had you taken it away I don't think it would have changed the overall story much. I would have really liked to have read more about the bookshop and how the magic of it worked, where it came from, etc.
That being said, I think if I had picked this up expecting more of a historical fiction, I would have been enchanted by the subtle hints of magic and whimsy. It this sense, I would say it's a cozy, whimsical book perfect for casual reading by a fire with some tea - it just gives off those vibes. In between there is some truly beautiful writing and some fabulous tidbits of women finding and owning their power in a time and world that doesn't value them. The author's love of books is obvious, not only in the characters love of books, but in the many wonderful quotes about the power of books and stories. I thought that the 3 POV's and dual timelines were very skillfully intertwined, and I really enjoyed finding all the little connections as we alternated between them.
My biggest complaint though:
Moderate: Violence, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Child death, Mental illness, Infidelity, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse
moxiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and War
dragonhearts_library'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
busyknitting's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, War, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Child abuse