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corpoto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Gun violence, Hate crime, Slavery, Sexual violence, Mass/school shootings, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, and Addiction
klbreyfogle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Torture, Sexual violence, Rape, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Classism, Racial slurs, and Gore
literaryintersections's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I picked up Blacktop Wasteland earlier this year - I had it on my shelf for a minute and was in a book slump. Lord. Lord. Lord. I finished it in 2 days, reeling with visions of car chases, people catching on fire, and small southern towns complexly created with racism, community, poverty, booze, and car grease.
The second I saw ATSB I preordered it. Then waited too many days for B&N to deliver it (lol). And was once again blown away. Cosby’s use of language is unmatched: descriptive and clear, vividly crafting a story that is lush and inventive. The characters jump off the page and feel like real life - Titus especially felt 3D. Racism and misogyny, homophobia and poverty, the bastardization of religion, all intertwined with love and family, Black man vulnerability and community. The violence is horrible but you can’t look away, turning page after page to try to get a glimpse of the antagonist - to understand what would make a person do such horrible things.
No one comes out unscathed in this book. And it left me thinking about these complexities far longer after I closed the cover. Do yourself a favor. Read ATSB. Then read Blacktop Wasteland. And join me on this journey as an absolute fan of Cosby’s work.
Graphic: Police brutality, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Death
tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
I plan on continuing to read Cosby, as a queer woman I do understand the desire to immerse yourself in and explore the subculture to which you belong. Especially when that culture is largely erased and oppressed by the dominant images. But a part of me does wonder if Cosby’s love of, and questioning of, his culture will include more feminism in the future?
CW for ALL the violence in this book. Including towards children.
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Racism, Murder, Grief, Kidnapping, and Classism
Moderate: Trafficking, Child abuse, Death, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Drug use, Religious bigotry, and Sexual violence
shoshpursley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Pedophilia, and Racism
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
Minor: Drug use, Trafficking, Sexual violence, and Racial slurs
lcg527's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Grief, Blood, Gun violence, Murder, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Death, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Violence, Child death, Trafficking, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racism, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
nevertheless_she_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book begins with a high school shooting and through the investigation of the killer, unravels to reveal secrets of the victim, a beloved teacher in Charon County. At the head of the investigations, is Titus Crowne, the county's first ever Black sheriff.
This is a heavy book, as S.A. Cosby's books are, that comes with a multitude of content and trigger warnings, including racism, murder, child pornography, molestation and sexual assault of minors, and body mutilation.
While I struggled at times with the content, I pushed through because S.A. Cosby's work is powerful, and he always writes a good story.
This one is not for everyone. But I am grateful for the opportunity I had to listen.
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Murder, Racism, and Sexual violence
mollysbooklist's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
My thoughts:
1. The audiobook narrator was perfect for the characters. He did a great job.
2. I feel like there is something left unsatisfied with this book, but I think it’s supposed to feel like that though. It’s got a sense of melancholy to the ending.
3. This isn’t a book where you’ll guess who did it. You find out along with the MC which I kind of liked.
4. The commentary on race and religion is excellent.
**Please check the content warnings for this book if you have any triggers**
CW/TW:
Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury / injury detail, Kidnapping, Mass school shootings, Murder, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, alcohol abuse, and illegal adoption
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Torture, Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Police brutality