Scan barcode
theuncannydani'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Confinement, Rape, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, Racial slurs, Blood, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
My favourite thing about the line I've quoted above is that I've often seen it shared on social media and I've always been intrigued by it, but having just read it in its original context, it suddenly seems so much richer. This sentiment is true of the novel overall. Having only encountered Baldwin's writing in circulated snippets online and Raoul Peck's absorbing documentary I Am Not Your Negro, I was interested but ultimately uncommitted, ignorant of how truly talented and totally absorbing his narrative voice is. As I read this novel, I felt like my entire understanding of his work expanded. This development felt particularly special because I love Barry Jenkins' adaptation of this book so much and yet it now seems like a small fragment of this book's breathtaking story.
This book is so wonderful and so sad. Baldwin is fantastic with character voice. Tish is such a compelling character and her way of understanding and assessing her world was so sharp, at times both beautiful and funny. My copy was dog-eared by the end from the quotes I wanted to remember and include here. The scene near the beginning where Tish and Fonny have their first date in church and realise that "Now, we knew nobody loved us: or, now, we knew who did. Whoever loved us was not here." The way Baldwin writes about love and sex, which makes it sacred and redemptive. The insight into womanhood, gender, violation and agency was incredible. The scene where Joseph and Frank talk about raising kids despite experiencing poverty. The scene where Daniel discloses the things he endured in prison. The searing indictment of America, whiteness, capitalism and the penal system. All of it. I read this in two sittings. I want to re-read it immediately.
Graphic: Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Cancer
el13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Racism, Police brutality, and Alcohol
kn0tp0rk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Hate crime, Racism, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Racism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Cursing
Minor: Suicide
marjolainegenot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Rape, Racial slurs, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
kenzim's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Suicide, Police brutality, Miscarriage, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
pollyflorence's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Violence, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Racism
odpeppiatt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"...he looks at the others, he listens: what have they done? Not much. To do much is to have the power to place these people where they are, and keep them where they are. These captive men are the hidden price for a hidden lie: the righteous must be able to locate the damned." (274)
This story brings such a vulnerable, universal, human quality to one of the coldest, most insensitive elements of American culture that it strikes a nerve unreached by other authors. I loved his precise blending of romance and commentary on race, police brutality, family dynamics and gender roles.
4 stars bc I really wanted more Baldwin prose mixed in with all the plot.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Hate crime, and Police brutality
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75
I will say, definitely take the SA content warning seriously. If you want specifics, it is a bit spoiler-ey:
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
Moderate: Police brutality and Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage