Scan barcode
sarahryoung's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I listened to the audio book, which was well since, but I wish I had actually read it. I know I missed a lot of nuance and details because I listened.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Violence
elizaeaa22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Chronic illness, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Cursing, Bullying, Gaslighting, Violence, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Drug use, Death of parent, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
alemm's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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
3.0
This novel starts off incredibly slow and then is fast for the last 30-40%. He pays homage to the “Great” American authors like Whitman, Emerson, Steinbeck, Twain, etc. in particular use to character development and plot.
My main critiques are his uneven pace. Perhaps beyond me, the author goes out of his way to make his one female character a strong woman, but doesn’t have the gumption to pass the Bechdel test.
I also don’t understand why he uses the “Magical Negro” literary trope without expanding on it or turning it on its head. If the irony is that he uses it exactly how it was historically used, then it is utterly lost in translation.
My main critiques are his uneven pace. Perhaps beyond me, the author goes out of his way to make his one female character a strong woman, but doesn’t have the gumption to pass the Bechdel test.
I also don’t understand why he uses the “Magical Negro” literary trope without expanding on it or turning it on its head. If the irony is that he uses it exactly how it was historically used, then it is utterly lost in translation.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, and Racism
More...