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thecolourblue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The story itself is a distorted fever dream of abuse and misery. It's certainly not enjoyable to read. Could be classed as tragedy porn if not for the disjointed writing taking away any air of sensationalism. I'm also not sure how I felt about the depiction of the brother's brain injury and disability. The character of the brother never really seemed to have any agency or presence outside of his impact on the main characters life (though that could be true of any presence in this book - the focus is very much on the single titular Girl), and I would be interested in how disabled folks feel about this book given how much of a key point disability and illness is in it.
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
harleyburch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How would they ever understand my life is more than cider? Complex than that. Fuller deeper richer. Irritation that. Something. Not as good as me in the back of my head.
When I read that this was an experimental novel, I didn't expect it to be quite so jarring. At first, I saw this as a negative; I felt as if the style was drawing me away from the characters rather than into their lives. It wasn't until the end of the novel that the grammar-less stream-of-consciousness style started to speak to me. It was this disjointed use of the language that put me at such unease. Strikingly, this book is bleak - very bleak. Our nameless narrator is subjected to terrible events that become relentless as she slowly but surely tugs us into her head. I had no idea how a book written like this without much plot could end but the ending - while still very bleak - was impressive and memorable. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone (definitely pay attention to the content warnings) but it was a challenged yet insightful experience.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
liolucia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
soph1768's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity
crodgers90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death
frp123's review against another edition
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
casbee's review against another edition
the plot is uninteresting, the characters are insufferable, the content is disgusting, and the lack of quotation marks makes it all the worse.
personally i don't think you can throw trauma and sex and no quotation marks together and call it a masterpiece.
i cant remember anything from the story and nothing about the book was good.
dreadful experience; never again; no. i wouldnt recommend this book to my worst enemy.
Graphic: Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual content, Violence, and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Blood, and Alcohol
leahnott's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
dashes101's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
As an experience: this book is maybe a 3.5 star read. Its difficult and challenging with very, very few hopeful moments. The relationship between the main character and her brother (to me) felt underdeveloped in their youth and hence the end of the book didn't have the same impact as I felt it could have had. The ending however, is beautifully written, and I really did enjoy it. I also understand the different themes the book juggled (sexuality, coming of age, and religion) but I felt like there was a lot happening all the time that wasn't really developed (?). Things just happened with no real need or reason, which is very fair because that's how life is! But it led it to be a little bland at times. I also understand the reasoning for the main character's sexuality 'growth' (not the right word) but it was extremely uncomfortable to read about.
As a piece of literature: probably 4 / 4.5 stars. I love how unique and aggressive the style is -- it draws you in and persuades you to keep reading. It's almost as if the writing is another character that improves the characters in the novel. I also commend McBride for sticking through and getting this book published after 9 years of rejections. It's definitely worth a read (IF you look through the warnings first and are in a good head space) but don't expect an easy read.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcohol
yolkdevil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt