Scan barcode
karenmsecrest's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jhurdman's review against another edition
emotional
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent and Infidelity
libvin96's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book much more than I enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere. The descriptions are impeccable, and the way Ng weaves cultural experiences, gender roles, family expectations, grief, and family dynamics was much more fluid and convincing than the explorations of youth and identity in Little Fires Everywhere. The plot twists and eventual resolution are delicately put together in a way that does not glare predictability. The important discussions of all the themes I mentioned above timelessly fit within the 1970s setting of the story and today, leaving the reader with several complicated thoughts and lessons to chew on. I loved this book.
alliesanders's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
user7728's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laurenboisvert's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an excellent read. Throughout the read, I found myself hating the parents and their pressure forced upon Lydia & their neglect for Hannah. I found this all changing in the last couple chapters as they realize their mistakes and work to correct it, I felt that the ending was slightly dragged out through Chapter 12 and did not get the answers in regards to Jack and Nath that I was hoping to. I also wonder about Hannah and how things changed for her. Another note, the twists and turns within this novel were well done as I was convinced at times of how things were to happen but they did not happen even close to that.
This book shows that not everything is as it seems. Even if seen in a bad light, intentions can be pure. That’s the theme of this novel is seems.
This book shows that not everything is as it seems. Even if seen in a bad light, intentions can be pure. That’s the theme of this novel is seems.
queercorn's review against another edition
4.0
Great insight into the way hidden feelings and hopes and desires overlap within a family
abbey_jarvis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
saritaroth's review against another edition
5.0
This book kept me riveted from start to finish. It was also a very fast read; I finished it only a couple of days. The dysfunctionality of the family in the book was mind-boggling. It made me think, however, that this dysfunctional family dynamic is probably not so much dysfunctional as the new (or old) normal. I know that there are a lot of parents trying to live vicariously through their children and, instead of showing their children every day how proud they are of them, the parents push them to be better, sometimes to the breaking point. Can't we just embrace our children for the unique beings that they are instead of pushing them to strive to be the best, to be perfect? For there is no perfect; there is only what is and that, in and of itself, is somehow perfect.