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hphipps's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Death of parent, Abortion, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Stalking
5aru's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This made me genuinely very sad. I feel very touched by stories like these — like with Tess of the D'Urbervilles, though (only slightly) less rapey. Young girls who get taken advantage of, who struggle to live in a world where the odds are stacked against them, really tug at my heartstrings.
And I have yet to see an author that is quite so merciless to her heroines as Edith Wharton. The tragedy of the (rather unsatisfying) ending is made more poignant by the fact that Charity wanted so badly to run away, to become a better version of herself — yet was thoroughly tied down, trapped by the society and people she despises and disregards. The comparison with Lily Bart is inevitable, yet I can't help but be softer for Charity, if only because of her youth and inexperience.
And I have yet to see an author that is quite so merciless to her heroines as Edith Wharton. The tragedy of the (rather unsatisfying) ending is made more poignant by the fact that Charity wanted so badly to run away, to become a better version of herself — yet was thoroughly tied down, trapped by the society and people she despises and disregards. The comparison with Lily Bart is inevitable, yet I can't help but be softer for Charity, if only because of her youth and inexperience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent
hulkytwobelts's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Incest, and Confinement
Minor: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Abortion
toffishay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think of Charity in the same camp as Emma from Jane Austen. She is a female character who is a little rough around the edges, kind of mean and uppity, but she's funny and headstrong and you want to learn more about her as you cheer her on. The exploration of young love and life as a young woman with so few options was engaging and seeing how Charity struggled against her circumstances and worked to understand herself and her world made this a quick read. I found the main romantic relationships problematic and I wouldn't exactly say that Charity got a happy ending. I put the book down and felt as though I had gotten a peek into the life of a young woman and left her wishing her all the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Classism, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Abortion
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