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lbyars99's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Abortion, Alcohol, Cancer, Grief, Homophobia, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Death, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
mgedington's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia
subtlymelancholy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Medical content, Sexism, Suicide, Addiction, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, and Terminal illness
There are a lot of seriously triggering topics covered in this book and it's not really something that can easily be skipped over. It's also a combination of the characters' internalized feelings and the result of the time and place the book was written.riley2005's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Drug abuse and Alcoholism
Moderate: Cancer, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Abortion
lowkey need a hbo remake miniseries about this, was so sad when jennifer died, she was my favorite characterrose12435's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Alcoholism, Cancer, Fatphobia, Cursing, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Rape, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Drug use, and Grief
This book is dark and not afraid to hurt it's reader. Please please please be careful when reading itbrooke_city's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was pretty progressive for a novel written in the 60s. With the emergence of women's lib, women wrestled for control of their lives. Yes, there's cattiness and drama, but also important themes.
Helen was the most feminist leaning. She works hard to afford the life of luxury she wants, and she isn't afraid to be forthcoming about wanting men for sex. And of course, everyone labeled her as "difficult."
Anne started out firm, but became a doormat for Lyon. For why. What did he bring to her life. Girl stand up!
Jennifer's is perhaps the most tragic. There's a scene in which she is sexually assaulted while on the phone with Anne. Though, in the 60s, it wouldn't have been seen that way. She later has an abortion bc her husband has a mental illness that can be passed on genetically. She also discovers she has polyps on her ovaries, and a malignant tumor on her breast. She commits suicide. All important issues for a novel in the 60s, although a lot for 1 character.
Neely struggles with addiction, overdosing, and spends time in rehab.
Graphic: Misogyny and Addiction
Moderate: Abortion and Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia
robyn1998's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That being said, it's 4 stars because it was somehow so entertaining. I just couldn't put it down. It was like a time capsule and I love that in a book, especially when it's set in the US in the middle of the 20th century. Makes me want to read more Truman Capote books. I liked the characterisations, even though the characters themselves were mostly horrible.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Classism, Body shaming, Abortion, Homophobia, Misogyny, Addiction, Fatphobia, and Drug use
encsooo'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Fatphobia
autumnn_96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
talia1007'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Drug abuse
Lots of discussion of body image. Lots of drug use