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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, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Infidelity, Death, Misogyny, Violence, and Sexual content
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: Grief, Racism, Bullying, Child death, Racial slurs, and Infidelity
Moderate: Alcohol
lanaaa21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, and Racism
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: Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Alcohol
katymat18's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
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, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Racism, Grief, Infidelity, and Mental illness
sofipitch's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
This is a heartbreaking family drama, looking at generational trauma. And for the most part what is so frustrating is that most of the families issues would be solved through better communication. It's not the most dramatic story, it's actually quite common. If you look at this review and feel discouraged it does have a somewhat happy ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infidelity, Grief, and Racism
avasbookmark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
This book is very similar in tone and content to Ng’s sophomore novel “Little Fires Everywhere”. Like “Little Fires”, it explores family dynamics and themes of race and belonging. It takes place in small-town Ohio and revolves around a mystery, introduced on page one that unfolds and reveals itself as the book progresses.
I love the way Celeste Ng writes from the perspectives of different characters, always with such empathy and depth. As an author, she places you inside a family’s life, zooming in to individual family members, then back out, seamlessly, to reveal the impact of each character’s experiences and thoughts on the others.
What knocked it down from 5 stars for me, was the almost disappointing lack of a thrilling, mystery element. This was hinted at and touched upon at times, but never really explored. What happened to Lydia could have been delved into a little more. The queer storyline with Jack was also barely developed. Jack’s character was fairly one-dimensional and his queerness/relationship with Nath could have been treated with as much care and detail as the rest of the story.
I love the way Celeste Ng writes from the perspectives of different characters, always with such empathy and depth. As an author, she places you inside a family’s life, zooming in to individual family members, then back out, seamlessly, to reveal the impact of each character’s experiences and thoughts on the others.
What knocked it down from 5 stars for me, was the almost disappointing lack of a thrilling, mystery element. This was hinted at and touched upon at times, but never really explored. What happened to Lydia could have been delved into a little more. The queer storyline with Jack was also barely developed. Jack’s character was fairly one-dimensional and his queerness/relationship with Nath could have been treated with as much care and detail as the rest of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Xenophobia, and Grief
daeadevil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Grief, Xenophobia, and Suicide
emilo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Suicide, Homophobia, and Violence