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makenzienoel4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Rape
emlar108's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
elizabethburgans's review against another edition
Too dark and sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide attempt, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Abortion, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Rape
twellz's review against another edition
5.0
Betty is a slow burn…but keep reading because it is an incredible story that will touch your soul forever! It’s brutal & beautiful all at the same time. This book is written like a memoir, however the author, Tiffany McDaniel, is writing about her mother, Betty Carpenter (it’s a true story). What I liked the most was that it reads like poetry & captures her grandfather Landon’s Native American spirit.
“There are folks always reachin’ for the sky, too large for our world, like giant sequoias,” he said, stretching his arms up over his head as we sat at his feet in wonder. “Some people are as beautiful and soft as peonies, others as hard as a mountain. You’ll need to watch out for those who spread gossip as easily as dandelions spread their seed,” he said. “But really keep an eye on the ones who live on decay, like the fungus that grows on hurt or weak trees.”
Betty’s relationship with her Cherokee father was nothing short of heart warming. It’s a coming-of-age story & Betty is the 6th of 8 kids, but looks the most like her father….dark & Native American. She grew up in the 1950’s-70’s in a small southern Ohio town called Breathed…amid poverty, violence & racism. The events we learn about are at times so ugly that you feel guilty for knowing these truths. You will feel deeply about each of Betty’s family members: Landon, Lint, Trustin, Fraya, Flossie & her mother, Alka. Betty is beautiful inside and out & her strength is embedded through heritage.
“…All we can do is try to heal the things that can be healed and ease the complaints of the things that cannot be. At the very least, we bring the earth inside us and restore the knowledge that even the smallest leaf has a soul.”
Betty is the type of hard-to-hear tale yet is necessary…like these books I’ve read: Educated, The Glass Castle or the Sound of Gravel. I highly recommend this novel, but get your Kleenex ready…it’s not a beach read type book. Finally a story that doesn't blame anyone, just exposes the blame & the reasons.
“Times will never be the same, so we give time another beautiful name until it’s easier to carry as we go on remembering where it is we’ve come from.”
“There are folks always reachin’ for the sky, too large for our world, like giant sequoias,” he said, stretching his arms up over his head as we sat at his feet in wonder. “Some people are as beautiful and soft as peonies, others as hard as a mountain. You’ll need to watch out for those who spread gossip as easily as dandelions spread their seed,” he said. “But really keep an eye on the ones who live on decay, like the fungus that grows on hurt or weak trees.”
Betty’s relationship with her Cherokee father was nothing short of heart warming. It’s a coming-of-age story & Betty is the 6th of 8 kids, but looks the most like her father….dark & Native American. She grew up in the 1950’s-70’s in a small southern Ohio town called Breathed…amid poverty, violence & racism. The events we learn about are at times so ugly that you feel guilty for knowing these truths. You will feel deeply about each of Betty’s family members: Landon, Lint, Trustin, Fraya, Flossie & her mother, Alka. Betty is beautiful inside and out & her strength is embedded through heritage.
“…All we can do is try to heal the things that can be healed and ease the complaints of the things that cannot be. At the very least, we bring the earth inside us and restore the knowledge that even the smallest leaf has a soul.”
Betty is the type of hard-to-hear tale yet is necessary…like these books I’ve read: Educated, The Glass Castle or the Sound of Gravel. I highly recommend this novel, but get your Kleenex ready…it’s not a beach read type book. Finally a story that doesn't blame anyone, just exposes the blame & the reasons.
“Times will never be the same, so we give time another beautiful name until it’s easier to carry as we go on remembering where it is we’ve come from.”
yasmin15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ava_kelly11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
_minnie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Incredible, incredible read - just when I thought On The Savage Side was the best writing I’d ever read, this came along. Will be reading all of McDaniel’s books from here on out. Increasingly dark, sinister and bleak - this story sheds light on untold voices and gives a unique perspective.
lilyconroy'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
ruthiek's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kokorobosoina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
4.0