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themirrorball'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
the writing in this book is the perfect balance of lyrical and grand, and profound and intentional. each page is littered with metaphors, and each one adds to the complexity and intensity of the story. vuong’s description and exploration of human emotion, family, language, and race are incredibly impressive. the only thing keeping it from five stars, is a lack of clear or defined theme that made the book’s statements and comments less impactful and left it feeling a bit unfinished.
kathissimo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lizzyginsburg's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.5
The poetic writing reminded me of James Balwin fiction. A beautiful, difficult and poignant read.
pennythewanderer's review against another edition
challenging
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
5.0
erickauribe's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
01hannah11's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Death, Drug use, and Cancer
addyruth17's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
"Novel" is a weak word for this. This is a masterclass in poetic connection-making.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Grief, Animal death, Racism, Excrement, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Homophobia
narcisa's review against another edition
1.0
What the hell did I just read! This book is disgusting amd disturbing. There was no 1 page that I liked. I regret reading this. Utterly bad. I feel dirty for reading this. Nothing beautiful in it. Absolutely nothing. Ugly misery. No moral or anything 🤮