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ashleykhoffman'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Everything was nice to read, but there was no pressure for me that was keeping me reading. There were LOTS of dramatic moments, but no ongoing pressure or singular thing I was rooting for or hoping for. It just felt like getting slapped in the face every other chapter for 50 chapters. This family was put through the wringer; Betty, too, was put through it, but she seemed to be the lone member of her family who persevered and rose above in the end.
I've come to realize that memoir-style stories are just not my favorite, but if you're looking for something full of emotions and lots of triggering scenes that will make you gasp and a wicked surprising ending dramatic climax... you'll love this.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexism, Suicide attempt, and Incest
Moderate: Racial slurs, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
andrearenee42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Animal death, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Murder, Violence, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Rape, Suicide, Animal cruelty, Hate crime, Incest, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
thehikinglawstudent's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW:
This book truly is a incredibly poignant exploration of childhood and generational trauma and how impactful it can be for the generations affected. The complexity of characters such as the mother and Fraya- two individuals destroyed by actions against them. Truly despise Leland and grandpappy lark. Justice for trustin and flossie- whose unfulfilled dreams just linger on. And landon carpenter, the bond with Betty is truly a remarkable exploration of father- daughter bonds and such a beautiful way of doing it. This book was remarkable.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Rape, and Self harm
faythfarrar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Self harm, Bullying, Death, Incest, Racism, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Ableism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Addiction
snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Incest, Pedophilia, Murder, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Violence, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Drug use, Self harm, Medical content, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Misogyny, Abandonment, Abortion, Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
apairofducks's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Incest, Physical abuse, Death, Racism, Grief, Domestic abuse, Rape, Suicide attempt, Child death, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
jco1016's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Death, Child death, Abortion, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Bullying, Sexual content, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death of parent, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, and Suicide attempt
jordyfrombookclub'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, Child abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, Child death, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Blood, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Murder, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Torture, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
This book barely lets you come up for air. It ties you up with a thin chain of hope and beauty as it drags you rampant abuse and family trauma. Not for the faint of heart (me).madisone'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
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Incest, Sexual assault, Death, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Sexism, Racial slurs, Racism, Abortion, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Blood, Homophobia, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, and Bullying
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, and Classism
jordynkw'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexism, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Incest, Sexual violence, Child death, Colonisation, Suicide, Death, Mental illness, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism