Reviews

Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

victoriaxspencer's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

katys_books's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.75

mazbaz's review against another edition

dark 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

4.25

martyrcore's review against another edition

2.0

listen. it’s a great piece of literature. the book is even amazing. but it was Too Hard for me to read. knowing that this book is based on real life events was simply too painful and i’m just in shambles after reading it

megsloan's review against another edition

dark hopeful sad

5.0

It feels a bit strange to give Betty 5 stars as it's a book that is utterly devastating in so many ways. The best way to describe it is like driving past an accident. It's so upsetting yet you can't look away. It explores so many complex topics including intergenerational trauma, the role of women and Cherokee heritage in the setting of the US in the 1900s (mostly the 60s).

Firstly the writing. I was captivated by Tiffany McDaniel's writing style. It was eloquent and poetic yet easy to digest. The book is littered with stories from Betty's father who weaves magical tales of the healing powers of nature and faith. His eternal optimism and gratitude despite what his family endures is inspiring and so much of that is reflected in Betty.

Betty is a more than worthy narrator for this story. We essentially follow her coming of age and how her relationships with her family evolve. Seeing things from her perspective gave an endearing tone to the book and your heart breaks for her multiple times over.

One of the most interesting themes of the book was how women are thought of and treated. There is such a stark contrast between Betty's heritage and the culture she lives in. Cherokee culture is matriarchal and honours female wisdom whereas Western culture is the exact opposite. The scene with Betty and the headmaster discussing her wearing shorts to school is highly illuminating yet rage-inducing. 

I could honestly go on and on about this book. Favourite of the year so far and one that will stay with me for a long time.

"Mother was terribly fond of tragedy. Ain’t all women? "

tcu3's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

• 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? No

4.0

verybooksessed's review against another edition

5.0

there was no way i could have anticipated the events in this book

✍

cheryl70's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

4.5

callie_pearce's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Medical content, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gore, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Infertility, Mental illness, Rape, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, Fatphobia, Incest, Addiction, Classism, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Abortion, Body horror, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Violence, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Hate crime, and Lesbophobia

andy_prl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• 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? N/A

4.0

Une bonne entrée à la misandrie