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kiinhi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i expected to read a story solely about little dog's relationship with his mom and his grandmother, but was kind of sad to find out that it wasnt the main focus of this book. though i still enjoyed it (the story is written in such beautiful prose), i wanted to read more about his familial relationships and ties to vietnam (i felt like a lot of parts that included his mom got glossed over a bit too often). regardless, there are parts that i still find myself tearing up to when i read it. ocean vuong writes with a sorrow so deep and eminent its hard to tear yourself away.
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and War
mixyplixl'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and War
imjohannagrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, and War
milagrg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and War
Moderate: Drug abuse and Suicide
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
k8lynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
most poetic & stunning book i have ever read. every sentence is gold, crafted so beautifully. i'm genuinely surprised my highlighter didn't die while reading, there were so many fantastic quotes. this book simultaneously broke my heart & healed it. there are so many extended motifs i love as well: the color pink, butterflies, flowers, singing/music, fire, the list goes on. Ocean Vuong is absolutely incredible. hands down one of the BEST books i have ever read. PLUS it's gay!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Suicide, and War
itsyourpaldave's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Xenophobia
novella42's review
- 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
His author-read audiobook performance of this powerful book was nothing short of magnificent.
A queer Vietnamese American man writes a letter to his mother, a survivor of the Vietnam War, who cannot read. His love for her, and hers for him, is ferocious and beautiful beyond words. Vuong is a poet, but strangely, I find his novel more compelling than his poetry. Tons of content warnings, to the degree I don't know when I will ever feel mentally resilient enough in my own C-PTSD to re-read it in its entirety, but if you're in the mood for a good cry, I can't think of anything more cathartic.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Fatphobia, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, and War
leahb88'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicide, Death of parent, and War
syubeebee'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? It's complicated
3.75
still, very beautiful writing of an uncommonly said story
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide
sashagalkina'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Homophobia, Racism, and Abortion
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Alcohol