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cloudyishappy'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: Violence and Physical abuse
libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I ended up putting the audiobook on 3x speed just to finish and even then it seemed never ending. Also, I feel like none of the blurbs or reviews I read really conveyed how GRIM this book is as it deals with domestic abuse and forced institutionalization. Once again I simply beg publishers/authors to add trigger/content warnings!
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
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
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
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
clothildev's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, War, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Suicide, Death, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexism, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Blood, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Abandonment
staceyinthesticks'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: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, War, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Child death, Gun violence, and Violence
hayleythegoose'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexism, War, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, and Gun violence
mdavis26's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Suicide
ceredonia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Grief, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Addiction
Minor: Alcoholism and War