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mezzarella's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I truly loved watching the twins grow older and watch how their level of privilege affected their lives. Tough questions were asked about racial injustice and colorism as well as the extent that living comfortable is worth lies and forgetting who you are. This would make a great book club read, where all the details and histories can be written down and unwoven.
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
annareads9898's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Medical content, Dementia, and Grief
mamademics's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
It's like they wanted us to all know that if you're light enough to pass, you should definitely do so because then you'll get the nice loving husband. But if you don't pass, make sure you don't marry a super dark skin man because your kid will be so dark and it will be mentioned every time the character is discussed. Oh, and of course the dark skin Black man was abusive.
There was so much potential for this storyline but it ended up being clearly written for the gaze of middle class white women who want to feel good about reading books with Black characters.
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse
sunpuddles's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This book is incredible on all levels. The characters are well-developed, the writing is gorgeous and the plot is nuanced and intriguing while the pacing is perfect to pull you in and along. Stella and Desiree are developed originally as almost one character. With nuanced differences, they are never apart and shown always speaking and thinking as one whole. Then the split. The rift in the narrative as you first follow Desiree with no mention of Stella, then Stella with no Desiree is the perfect literary device. The characters of their daughters - Jude and Kennedy are so opposite, the dichotomy of Black and white are felt strongly and yet the personalities also feel natural and in no way extreme. Like two more twins twice removed. I love the characters of Reese and Barry as well. The way Bennett adds a transgender and transvestite character so honestly and yet unapologetically without massive drama and with love and acceptance around them is beautiful and sadly rare. There was no plot points around misgendering, discovery, or deadnaming. However, Bennett does show the daily burden of hormones, the danger and cost of top surgery and the barrier to marriage and family. There is a strong theme of reinvention and becoming who you are despite the barriers you were given at birth. I really appreciate the layers and levels Bennett was able to bring to this book while first and foremost focusing on skin color and race in America.
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Violence, and Dementia
Minor: Death and Drug use
vlram's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Dementia
quiteawful's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse