Scan barcode
chaoticweevil'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Cursing, Classism, Pregnancy, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship
literarylion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
- All-around well-crafted
- Interesting take on climate disaster
- Strong character development and establishment of POV
- A bit derivative of other authors and stories (general dystopia)
- I had trouble orienting myself in the setting for the first quarter or so
- Felt rushed towards the end
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit, Animal death, Cursing, and Torture
Minor: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Pregnancy
kaitlyndeluise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Animal death and Gun violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Drug use, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content
jen_again's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Gun violence, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Infidelity
kallan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Death of parent, Animal death, Violence, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, and Alcoholism
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Blood, Eating disorder, and Sexual content
deedireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
TL;DR REVIEW:
A Children’s Bible was a strange read, but no doubt masterful. Short, unsettling, and apocalyptic, I can see why it was a National Book Award contender.
For you if: You like literary and/or apocalyptic novels.
FULL REVIEW:
I picked up A Children’s Bible because it was longlisted for the National Book Award. While I wouldn’t quite call it a fun read, I can absolutely appreciate its mastery and resonance, and I’m glad I read it.
The story is about a group of children whose wealthy families have gathered in a big country house for the summer. The kids are unsettlingly mature (which is more of a story device than realistic, but is actually really interesting in the way it positions their partying parents as less irresponsible — particularly given the book’s focus on climate change and impending disaster). Then a storm blows through, and what’s essentially the end of the world begins.
It’s a super-short novel at only about 200 pages, and it’s extremely unsettling, but written in a detached, x-ray like style that’s also really effective. All in all, a fascinating read from a literary perspective, and I can definitely see why some people thought it might win the Pulitzer.
Pick this one up if you like weird, literary books!
Graphic: Torture and Animal death
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Violence, and Confinement
imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body horror, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, Torture, Drug use, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Homophobia, Abandonment, and Pregnancy