Scan barcode
discarded_dust_jacket'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
plxtoprojector's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Bullying and Domestic abuse
mjones14'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? Yes
1.75
HOWEVER, I can appreciate that it is beautifully written, it was just not the book I thought was or a book that naturally appeals to me.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Transphobia and Dementia
Minor: Bullying, Medical content, Grief, and Stalking
lalu'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
3.75
We follow two coloured sisters with very light skin. One of them vanishes, tells everyone that her family is dead, and lives her life as the white wife of a rich white man. The other one marries a black man who becomes abusive, so she takes her daughter and returns to her mother. The story also focuses on their then-grown up daughters - the white daughter being completely clueless about her mother's life of lies, the black one struggling with racism and poverty - and how they find each other by chance.
I really liked the concept and where the author was going with this. Her ability to say so much with just a few words is incredible. The characters were well fleshed out and I was particularly invested in the black daughter's story and that of her boyfriend, who is a trans man.
But then the book suddenly ended. And I don't think it should have ended there. There were so many more things I wanted to know about the characters and how their lives continued. I've rarely been so bummed about finishing a book.
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Dementia
innastholiel'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
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Dementia, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Dysphoria
zara89'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: Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Medical content, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Dementia, Death of parent, and Classism
lovelybookshelf'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
4.25
There's a trans man side character and...his first appearance included a few instances of deadnaming. Cis authors, you've got to stop doing this—if you'd been listening at all, you'd know this was established *years* ago. Other than that, the rep was quite good and felt accurate for the time period. (I'd like to see what trans men who've read and reviewed the book have to say.) Best of all, he wasn't a tragic character! So that was wonderful.
This story brought up some big feelings re: my own complicated family, about being/not being seen or understood. The ending was especially moving and tears were shed. Bennett's previous novel, THE MOTHERS, has been sitting unread on my bookshelf for a couple of years, but now that I've experienced her writing, I'm hoping to get to that book soon.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Medical content, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Minor: Deadnaming
mollyc_29_2'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: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Murder
vasha'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
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Dementia, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Deadnaming
average'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
3.5
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Murder