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Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'
Between Dog and Wolf by Kristina Gorcheva-Newberry
3 reviews
carolineeedmondson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The perfect balance of immersing you in a complete world and ripping your heart out with tragic characters. The granular details of each relationship are as fully developed as the big-picture descriptions of the political landscape. It's really Anya and Milka's story, and it has staying power. I love getting to see both the world-shaking events of Anya's youth and how she processes it later in life - you have to have the last part of the book to put the first part in perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Abortion
Minor: Cannibalism
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Review of The Orchard
By: Kristina Gorcheva-Newberry
I’m not as familiar with Russia and its history having only dipped into Russian literature and learning from others who know more. This was a hard read as this is one of the darker times in Russia, or before Russia became Russia and was considered the Soviet Union. Anya and Milka are growing up during this time going to school and experiencing the first flush of young love. This foursome barely understands what is happening to their home and are just trying to get by as they grow up, but it is a trying time
I wouldn’t call this a fun read, but it was riveting story and I always feared for Anya and her friends, as well as her parents. It was an enlightening read telling me about what happened to the Soviet Union in a fictional way. I felt connected to Anya, though I couldn’t relate to her life experiences. I have led a privileged and free life in America while Anya lives in a government-controlled country where she doesn’t have as many choices. I understand her confusion and anger about her life. Lopatin is my least favorite character as I find his arrogance and ignorance frustrating. He is one of those privileged types who doesn’t acknowledge and rather bury his head in the sand. I adored Trifonov and Milka is a tragic figure in the story. The writing is lovely with poetic pros that makes this a beautiful, though tragic, story to read. It was also cool that they were fans of Queen one of the few things that’s not from Russia they get access too.
By: Kristina Gorcheva-Newberry
I’m not as familiar with Russia and its history having only dipped into Russian literature and learning from others who know more. This was a hard read as this is one of the darker times in Russia, or before Russia became Russia and was considered the Soviet Union. Anya and Milka are growing up during this time going to school and experiencing the first flush of young love. This foursome barely understands what is happening to their home and are just trying to get by as they grow up, but it is a trying time
I wouldn’t call this a fun read, but it was riveting story and I always feared for Anya and her friends, as well as her parents. It was an enlightening read telling me about what happened to the Soviet Union in a fictional way. I felt connected to Anya, though I couldn’t relate to her life experiences. I have led a privileged and free life in America while Anya lives in a government-controlled country where she doesn’t have as many choices. I understand her confusion and anger about her life. Lopatin is my least favorite character as I find his arrogance and ignorance frustrating. He is one of those privileged types who doesn’t acknowledge and rather bury his head in the sand. I adored Trifonov and Milka is a tragic figure in the story. The writing is lovely with poetic pros that makes this a beautiful, though tragic, story to read. It was also cool that they were fans of Queen one of the few things that’s not from Russia they get access too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Pregnancy, Abortion, Cursing, Child abuse, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
sjanke2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Russia's very own My Brilliant Friend. Because it's loosely based off of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, I was worried this novel would fly over my head. But that wasn't the case. I ached for Milka, especially after reading the acknowledgements and learning she was based on the author's best friend in her own Soviet childhood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Vomit, Sexual violence, Abortion, Sexual assault, Rape, Grief, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Infertility, Incest, Death, and Cursing
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