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snowfoxprincess's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Suicide, Homophobia, and Kidnapping
Minor: Physical abuse and Eating disorder
alylentz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this (but I am a gay librarian, so who is surprised!), though I had skimmed some reviews and expected less-than-reality, which I think were good expectations to have going in. I always find Rebecca Makkai's characters to be so magnetic... their thought processes and emotions always feel so real to me! Anyway, I did really love the father/daughter relationship and the ideas raised there and I cried at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia
leecyph's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
mateoj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
maybe my rating is influenced a little by being 1. an aspiring librarian and 2. gay. i definitely didn't like everything about the narrative (is it that hard to look a ten-year-old in the face and say, like, "being who you are isn't a sin" or something equally obvious? also, why did everyone think this little boy was gay? he very well could have been, but it's weird to assert it so certainly), but it was fun to read and made me happysad so I'll take it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse and Eating disorder
laurenleigh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ve wanted to read more of Rebecca Makkai ever since falling hard for The Great Believers. This was a lighter, cuter story that was still just as full of heart. It’s about a children’s librarian who gets on this unexpected road trip with a slightly troubled kid growing up in an oppressively Evangelical family. The morality of this road trip (kidnapping?) becomes an interesting question, and I was constantly questioning whether I liked or agreed with this main character. Whether or not I like her though, my flip-flopping aligns me with her, as she herself can’t decide whether or not she’s a good person, whether she’s making the right choice. While listening to the story was a good format (I felt like I was right there in the car, listening to a 10 year-old boy singing), I disliked the narrator’s too-sweet voice. Regardless, I love Makkai’s style and could still fully appreciate her writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Homophobia
Moderate: Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Eating disorder
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