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dogoodwithbooks'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
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, and Medical content
Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Death of parent, and Abandonment
greenan26'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Excrement, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
narbine'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
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Infertility, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Excrement, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Outing, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Slavery and War
theabee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
omarickman'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
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Infertility, Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, and Murder
books_brews_and_booze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
One of the greatest storytellers of this time, in my humble opinion. I'd love to see school curriculums include his books in their lists, if they aren't already doing so.
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
Minor: Excrement and Abandonment
tigger89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's worth mentioning that, despite the dark elements in the story — and there are many — this book has a sharp sense of humor. It has to, because if we'd had to read through all of that heavy, grim subject matter without the tension breaking with a chuckle now and again, it would have been too much. That said, the dark parts are incredibly dark. Aside from the obvious racism and white supremacy present throughout, there's some not-so-obvious content, so I encourage readers to check warnings. Despite the negative attitudes expressed by many of the characters, I found the various groups depicted — Black people, Jewish people, and people with disabilities — to be treated with respect by the author.
Despite all the good, there were a few things I wasn't a huge fan of. First, there were some dangling plot elements that seemed to be set up and then forgotten about. For example, there was an ominous deal made out of the half of the note that Fatty dropped, but it ultimately seemed like it didn't matter. And there was also a recurring character who seemed to be set up for a big role in the events, but ultimately he re-entered the plot just before the climax kicked off only to chill off-screen. Don't get me wrong, the matter of who wound up down the well and why was answered in a completely satisfactory manner. But I got the vibe that some additional clarifying scenes had been cut, leaving me with lingering questions about some of the background action.
The other thing that stuck out to me were the occasional preachy asides, where McBride nudges aside the fourth wall to speak directly to the reader on some matter or another. I can't decide if I thought they added to or detracted from the narration. As much as I feel like the story's message should stand on its own without needing to be explained to the reader, I do realize that sometimes we have to hammer the point a bit more obviously to make sure it lands. So I'm conflicted on this.
Ultimately, this was a very good book that deserves every best-of spot it's been landing itself on. I went into it expecting a book about a combined Jewish and Black community standing up against white supremacy, but found a story about the power of community to come together when it matters to take care of each other, regardless of ethnicity or ability.
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
m_abigail758's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, and Abandonment