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wilde_read's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was drawn to this book as it was a re-telling of E.M. Forster's Howards End. There were a few good passages that I found reflective. Was it a good re-telling? Meh, I expected too much. Overall, it didn't leave me with much to ponder, which is how I feel about most contemporary fiction. I was entertained, so I guess it fulfilled its purpose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
koirasaurus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First ~ 100 pages were very boring. I was about to quit reading this book many times and I am not sure, if I would recommend it. But when I finished it, I noticed that I will be missing it. Very very mixed feelings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs
pipercurda's review
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.25
such well written characters make it all feel heartbreakingly real. everyone is deeply flawed in horrible human ways yet somehow you still want to root for them. dense read, but sooo worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cursing, Grief, Infidelity, Racism, and Sexual content
colormekinetic's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Racism
semeyers's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, though I do think it could have been 50-100 pages shorter. Smith tends toward over descriptive paragraphs that wore on me after a while.
The journey of the Belsey's and the other characters in their lives was an interesting one.
The journey of the Belsey's and the other characters in their lives was an interesting one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Infidelity, Body shaming, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Drug use
florenceassetto's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
3.5
i really quite liked the book but i was DISSATISFIED by the ending! i loved some of the characters and was disgusted by some others but i think smith's writing is incredibly satisfying and i hope to read more of her works!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
bootsmom3's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness, Classism, Death, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Drug use and Body shaming
honeybearsum's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The allure of Smith's writing style is irresistible. I was depressed for a week while reading it, but I couldn't stop. It's a hard read emotionally, for sure; nonetheless, it's a worthwhile reflection on the complexity of relationships, and thinking about who you should let go, who you should hold onto, and what you may be doing wrong yourself. As the title very bluntly indicates, it's about beauty, and how that word is not so easily defined.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexism, Fatphobia, Racism, and Mental illness
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Not easy to write my thoughts about this book. It didn't excite me, as the hype around it suggested, but I also didn't dislike it. It's so.ewhere in the middle; something you read and forget as soon as you finish it.
Nothing exciting happens, and even if it does the author moves away quite fast. It's supposed to be a character centered book, and I appreciate that, but the characters needed more building, they are not flat, but not convincing either. Lukewarm at best.
At some point, towards the end, I was thinking that ii would make an OK dramatic comedy movie, to spend a slow Sunday afternoon with a book and a cuppa.
Nothing exciting happens, and even if it does the author moves away quite fast. It's supposed to be a character centered book, and I appreciate that, but the characters needed more building, they are not flat, but not convincing either. Lukewarm at best.
At some point, towards the end, I was thinking that ii would make an OK dramatic comedy movie, to spend a slow Sunday afternoon with a book and a cuppa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content