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katliana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexism
xiggy'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
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Alcohol, Death of parent, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, Racism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
sofiam19'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
2.5
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Violence, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
annakh16'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
4.75
Backman brings each character to life beautifully - and there are a lot of them -, showing the many depths of their motivations and creating an ever more complex web of relationships. The writing is straightforward but stunning - philosophical at times, when discussing concepts such as loyalty, love, friendship, family, community and more, but also full of vivid descriptions and images that really help bring the stories to life. The book makes clever use of flashbacks and flashforwards, which are revealing enough for the reader to make their own guesses about what will happen, but obscure enough to allow the story to unfold at its own pace. In fact, the book is full of small plot twists along the way, which are really aided by these small hints, that are often subverted at the last minute.
The only thing I‘d say is that it‘s a little bit slow to get into, as it starts with a lot of character description before the plot gets moving. But (as Backman always manages), soon both characters and places are laced with depth, so that you can’t help but root for them (or despise them, alternatively). As the plot picks up, so does the pace and by the end of the book, tension is running thick.
This is no doubt my favourite of Backman’s books so far. I loved this and would really recommend (even if you‘re not even slightly interested in hockey).
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Classism, Drug use, Child death, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
homealone2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Blood, Rape, Death, Mental illness, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Homophobia, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Lesbophobia
kananineko'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, Alcohol, Gun violence, Child abuse, Classism, Body shaming, Sexism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder
Minor: Drug use, Cursing, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Alcoholism, Child death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death
ericaw212's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Gun violence
prairieraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Rape, Child death, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship, Racism, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Sexism, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Body shaming, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
ellejo3's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Rape, and Misogyny
hawkguyscoffee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Violence, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Classism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexism