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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
The book was difficult to get into at first, with the slow pacing and long chapters. But I really began to enjoy this book after the first 75 pages! I loved getting to know each character, even if they frustrated me or confused me at times.
The book takes an interesting look at each family member’s secrets, grief, and insecurities. It’s definitely a character driven novel but one that kept me hooked and invested in how it would end!
Ng has a beautiful way of writing and telling stories. After reading this and previously, Little Fires Everywhere, I want to read everything she writes in the future!
The book takes an interesting look at each family member’s secrets, grief, and insecurities. It’s definitely a character driven novel but one that kept me hooked and invested in how it would end!
Ng has a beautiful way of writing and telling stories. After reading this and previously, Little Fires Everywhere, I want to read everything she writes in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse, Medical content, and Death of parent
hmih's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
ruisquared's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.75
The main themes and tropes were approached in a way that felt authentic to reality and the characters. While some less familiar with these situations might find the family's (especially James and Marilyn) struggles and demands of each other to be unrealistic or outright ridiculous, they are most assuredly quite accurate as well.
However, my main issue was not with the content or characters but the style of prose. This may be a matter of preference but I prefer a more lyrical approach with ambiguity left for the reader to make their own interpretations.
Here, there is a much more 'tell' approach as opposed to 'show' – again, a matter of opinion as to which you'd prefer, but I think especially for such a character-centric book the latter could perhaps be better suited.
However, my main issue was not with the content or characters but the style of prose. This may be a matter of preference but I prefer a more lyrical approach with ambiguity left for the reader to make their own interpretations.
Here, there is a much more 'tell' approach as opposed to 'show' – again, a matter of opinion as to which you'd prefer, but I think especially for such a character-centric book the latter could perhaps be better suited.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Infidelity and Abandonment
alisasreads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
took me longer than usual to finish this book because the plot didn't make me want to keep reading. but i did find myself tearing up at some parts that i could relate to. i really understood the siblings and got frustrated by the parents. i liked but didn't love the book but there's no real reason why.. mixed feelings are what i'm left with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Violence
agirlnamedellie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
I found this to be more of a slow paced read for me but nethertheless I enjoyed the read anyway. This is the first novel I have read of Ng's and I can see why it is a best seller. The story covers the secrets of one family slowly becoming uncovered when the family's eldest daughter suddenly passes away. Lots of different topics covered in this novel that although the story was set in the 1970's unfortunately still resonate today - racism, social pressures and norms, children feeling pressure to succeed etc. I thought it was really beautifully done and gave a real snapshot of what a family could have been like at this period in time as their secrets begin to unravel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol
mariposa517's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
rw_123's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Suicide
ameliaflint's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I did enjoy this book, it was definitely a good and powerful read. However, I rate it a little lower because I was a little disappointed after reading Little Fires Everywhere. However, still an excellent book that delves into themes like interracial marriage in the 70s, Asian-American identity, and parental pressure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Alcohol
greentea1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Despite the topic, I found it an easy read. Although a little frustrating at times, so many unspoken words, so many hurt feeling. The ending felt a little abrupt
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, and Suicide
bookwormfr_t0's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
What a beautifully written book. There are 5 characters we follow: Marilyn, James, Nath, Lydia, and Hannah; which sounds like a lot but each read distinctly from each other. They have their own internal struggles and distinctive thoughts that I think this story will appeal to all audiences; which was surprising because I did not expect to relate or identify with any of these characters but I did.
There are so many themes in this novel, but one that really stood out to me was how parents insecurities and expectations can impact children in a variety of ways. Specifically, how parents regrets from their own lives form how they raise their children, which can have negative effects.
Ng does a beautiful job weaving this story so delicately together it is filled with emotion and is tragically sad. The way Ng writes the character thoughts and emotions (especially Lydia) is visceral and palpable.
**I do see that it is categorized as a 'mystery/thriller' here on Storygraph, do not go into this book expecting a thriller. This is a tragic character study of a family suffering from loss and crushing grief.**
There are so many themes in this novel, but one that really stood out to me was how parents insecurities and expectations can impact children in a variety of ways. Specifically, how parents regrets from their own lives form how they raise their children, which can have negative effects.
Ng does a beautiful job weaving this story so delicately together it is filled with emotion and is tragically sad. The way Ng writes the character thoughts and emotions (especially Lydia) is visceral and palpable.
**I do see that it is categorized as a 'mystery/thriller' here on Storygraph, do not go into this book expecting a thriller. This is a tragic character study of a family suffering from loss and crushing grief.**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief