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momeneek's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
juhlig's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Beautifully written and still very hard to read. I mean who enjoys reading about unpaid labor, drug addiction, and racism ? That said, the narration of an embodied drug and the structure of the book were both strong, and I found myself wanting to continue reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Addiction, Body horror, Racism, Trafficking, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Drug use, Hate crime, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Gaslighting, Cursing, and Abandonment
katie_burgert's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
What an astonishing book. It is impossible to put down because the voices of its three narrators--the boy Eddie, Darlene, his mother, and crack cocaine, which calls itself Scotty--are all equally irresistible and compelling, and completely surprising. This book should be talked about like crazy
Weird, the publisher's description is mundane enough for prospective readers to go "meh" or "yuck" and return the book to the shelf. Don't fall for it, guys. Open to the first page and go from there.
Weird, the publisher's description is mundane enough for prospective readers to go "meh" or "yuck" and return the book to the shelf. Don't fall for it, guys. Open to the first page and go from there.
the_bookish_musings_of_mari's review against another edition
Too gritty and disturbing for me
ashleypford's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
5.0
dianet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
icalyn_13's review against another edition
4.0
This book is kind of crazy. It starts with an introduction that feels like it has told 90% of the story already, and do you ever hate Darlene, who is Eddie, our young hero's mom.
The story is a bit jarring to read. There is no such thing as quotation marks, which sometimes took a while to figure out if it was something being said or just thought. And: several chapters are told through the character of crack. Seriously. It sounds insane, but in this story, it works.
Regardless: this is one of those books that make you think. How often do you think about the person that picked your fruit or vegetables for you when you buy them at the store? I can tell you it rarely ever crossed my mind, but after reading this book, I suspect it will more.
I would like to think that places like Delicious Foods don't really exist, but they probably do--just not likely in the United States.
Good book, will make you think, so I recommend.
The story is a bit jarring to read. There is no such thing as quotation marks, which sometimes took a while to figure out if it was something being said or just thought. And: several chapters are told through the character of crack. Seriously. It sounds insane, but in this story, it works.
Regardless: this is one of those books that make you think. How often do you think about the person that picked your fruit or vegetables for you when you buy them at the store? I can tell you it rarely ever crossed my mind, but after reading this book, I suspect it will more.
I would like to think that places like Delicious Foods don't really exist, but they probably do--just not likely in the United States.
Good book, will make you think, so I recommend.
sjhaug's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.0