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abrooklynbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most honest, beautiful, and heart-wrenching tales. Beautifully written, and honestly one of the most touching stories I have ever read.
rinku's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Child death, and Abandonment
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Homophobia
megbetweenthepages's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Racism
malenasachert's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
If You Come Softly is a good name for this book, because the whole story is very soft. Not much happens except a boy and girl slowly, hesitantly fall in love. Tragedy strikes at the end, but it's a senseless thing and happens right at the end with no real wrap-up or closure. You also knew from the beginning that this would happen, so it was not a surprise. It was a fine book, but nothing too special.
lias_reading_list's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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? No
4.0
annika_fabbi's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? No
3.0
newamsterdame's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing that struck me about this book is how specifically Woodson is able to sketch her characters. Ellie and Miah are both incredibly rendered in the small amount of space the book has-- their appearances, personalities, and very individualized emotional and family issues. This book doesn't talk down to its young intended audience in that way-- it invites them to come and get to know these people, however briefly, and understand them the way one begins to understand a person they speak to more and more. I think it's that brilliance of characterization that makes Ellie and Miah's love story ring true, and what makes the ending of the book so tragic and echoing.
Another thing I admire about Woodson's writing is her ability to introduce complex topics in an understandable, conversational way. She isn't didactic or presumptive in her depictions of race, instead exposing readers to different aspects or angles of a problem and inviting them to think about it from each of those vantage points. Ellie might be white in the way Miah's father describes whiteness-- as the privilege of not knowing what color you are-- but her introspection and questioning about race is very sincere. One of her conclusions-- that if she and her family aren't racist, why aren't there any black people populating their world?-- is both innocent and profound. At the same time, Miah's awareness of his race, the lessons he's been instilled with since he was very young, and the price he pays for singular moments of happy unawareness underscore the differences between growing up black or white in America, no matter what other privileges you have.
This book moves quickly and ends abruptly. But because of Woodson's deft characterization, poetic prose, and resonant emotion, it sticks with you and provokes thought.
Another thing I admire about Woodson's writing is her ability to introduce complex topics in an understandable, conversational way. She isn't didactic or presumptive in her depictions of race, instead exposing readers to different aspects or angles of a problem and inviting them to think about it from each of those vantage points. Ellie might be white in the way Miah's father describes whiteness-- as the privilege of not knowing what color you are-- but her introspection and questioning about race is very sincere. One of her conclusions-- that if she and her family aren't racist, why aren't there any black people populating their world?-- is both innocent and profound. At the same time, Miah's awareness of his race, the lessons he's been instilled with since he was very young, and the price he pays for singular moments of happy unawareness underscore the differences between growing up black or white in America, no matter what other privileges you have.
This book moves quickly and ends abruptly. But because of Woodson's deft characterization, poetic prose, and resonant emotion, it sticks with you and provokes thought.