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vaekay's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Heavy groomer/borderline pedophilic (maybe not-so-borderline pedophilic) content. Stuck in extremely gross, misogynistic mens' point of views for the majority of the book. Bounces from the POV of a 9 year old Tammy to an adult Tammy having sex with her fiancee then back to a childhood Tammy. Lots of casual racism towards Black and brown people of color as well as other Chinese people. I understand that the internalized Sinophobia/racism is a plot point of the book, but myself and my Chinese partner were very disturbed by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Death of parent, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Blood, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Fatphobia
Minor: Gun violence, Deportation, Injury/Injury detail, and Islamophobia
siobhanward's review
emotional
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
3.0
This book was a solid 4* read for me, right until the ending. It felt as though Luo poured all her time into the first 90% of the book and just had to rush through the ending in half a day. The book built up so well. Unlike some books that move through time, Luo kept her timelines clear and easy to follow and I never found myself trying to catch up on what was happening. However, the ending felt rushed and so over the top. It just didn't fit with the rest of the book and that definitely impacted my enjoyment of the book. That, and a kind of sketchy relationship between two adults, but who had met when one was 9 and one was 26 just didn't sit right with me and heavily impacted my rating unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Car accident
Moderate: Racial slurs
allapaz's review against another edition
4.25
this was a hell of a story, the family relationships and coming-of-age and 'American dream' story and its pitfalls and struggles and triumphs and tragedies. I was floored this was a debut, the author works the non-linear timeline and different POVs so well. only really loses a star for me because (light spoiler) ....Oliver. He gave me the ick so bad with his relationship with Tammy, I think it would have been a lot more powerful if the author either A. left that as a wholesome big brother relationship, or B. went full on to call him out/make it clear that he's icky. Because, fight me, falling 'in love' with a girl you taught piano to when she was in 4th grade and you were in your 20s is weird and predatory as hell...glad he got what he deserved. after that dog chapter I was 1000% done with him but all in all, the conversations around identity and family and parent/child dynamics was lovely
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Animal cruelty
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