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seventhswan's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
2.25
I found this book strange, and ultimately not for me, but that's not to say it's badly written. In fact, I thought the writing was really solid and very clearly illustrated a world I have almost no idea about. My big problem with the book was that it tried to fit so much in - it was SO melodramatic, like a soap opera, but with none of the lighthearted vibe that makes soap operas work. Perhaps this really is what small towns in Kansas are like, but I struggled to believe it (though maybe that's just me being naive!). I also found the sexual content to be weirdly... off? I'm not a prude about sex in fiction but something about it really didn't work for me.
I did enjoy the varied cast of characters but I wish we would have got to spend more time with a few of them, rather than a small snapshot of several. So much more could have been done with, for example, Averyadjusting to life as a wheelchair user or David and Miguel's relationship. I also thought that the book was falsely advertised - from the blurb I was expecting a lighthearted comedy-drama, but what I got was a lot of graphic descriptions of hate crimes and only a partial HEA. The structure of the book was more like a collection of related/overlapping short stories than one narrative with a cohesive plot.
Laskey is a talented writer and I'd give another of her books a go! It's a shame this story didn't work for me.
I did enjoy the varied cast of characters but I wish we would have got to spend more time with a few of them, rather than a small snapshot of several. So much more could have been done with, for example, Avery
Laskey is a talented writer and I'd give another of her books a go! It's a shame this story didn't work for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism, Abortion, Child death, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, and Racism
lucyatoz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Under the Rainbow is the second book I have finished for the 52 Book Club 2024 Reading Challenge.
When a task force of queer activists from Acceptance Across America move to live in Big Burr, Kansas, for two years, it causes a ripple, and the beginnings of a study in cause and effect in a small town labelled "the most homophobic town in America". Almost everyone in the community do not want them there, apart from Linda, who welcomes them for her own reasons.
The story is told through the eyes of a series of narrators, both residents of Big Burr and those from the task force, over the two year period, with snippets telling of raised tensions, new friendships and relationships beginning and ending, questioning their own and others identities and reconsidering what the true meaning is of community.
I borrowed this book from Taunton Library and listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox. I read this for prompt 7, at least 4 different points of view, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
When a task force of queer activists from Acceptance Across America move to live in Big Burr, Kansas, for two years, it causes a ripple, and the beginnings of a study in cause and effect in a small town labelled "the most homophobic town in America". Almost everyone in the community do not want them there, apart from Linda, who welcomes them for her own reasons.
The story is told through the eyes of a series of narrators, both residents of Big Burr and those from the task force, over the two year period, with snippets telling of raised tensions, new friendships and relationships beginning and ending, questioning their own and others identities and reconsidering what the true meaning is of community.
I borrowed this book from Taunton Library and listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox. I read this for prompt 7, at least 4 different points of view, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Homophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Car accident, Cursing, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Suicidal thoughts
gellyreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Racism, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Deadnaming, Bullying, Blood, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Grief, Sexism, Car accident, Misogyny, Medical content, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Death, and Cursing
thespinystacks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Too early to call my favourite book of the year? I texted Book Club on Saturday saying that I’d laughed, cried, and scolded a character all within the first hundy pages.
——————————————————
Big Burr, Kansas, is the kind of place where everyone seems to know everyone, and everyone shares the same values-or keeps their opinions to themselves.
When a group of social activists arrive in a small town, the lives and beliefs of residents and outsiders alike are upended.
——————————————————
Each chapter represents a different character with a potentially different view on the world, and some you loved, some you disliked and even hated - but each you truly got inside their head and that was incredibly powerful.
My favourite chapters were Linda, Elsie, and Avery. My biggest reactions came from these chapters and others. All of them to be honest.
Laskey’s writing was witty, heart-wrenching and thought provoking. I feel sad that towns like this exist, and that there are so many people in the world who can’t be their true, authentic selves.
I recommend looking at content warnings for this book if you’re a sensitive reader.
5/5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 so many rainbows
——————————————————
Big Burr, Kansas, is the kind of place where everyone seems to know everyone, and everyone shares the same values-or keeps their opinions to themselves.
When a group of social activists arrive in a small town, the lives and beliefs of residents and outsiders alike are upended.
——————————————————
Each chapter represents a different character with a potentially different view on the world, and some you loved, some you disliked and even hated - but each you truly got inside their head and that was incredibly powerful.
My favourite chapters were Linda, Elsie, and Avery. My biggest reactions came from these chapters and others. All of them to be honest.
Laskey’s writing was witty, heart-wrenching and thought provoking. I feel sad that towns like this exist, and that there are so many people in the world who can’t be their true, authentic selves.
I recommend looking at content warnings for this book if you’re a sensitive reader.
5/5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 so many rainbows
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
Minor: Vomit and Sexual content
cwatson1234's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Outing, and Lesbophobia
A mix of short stories all surrounding LGBT and one city, a real mix between views of homosexuality. Could possibly be unsuitable for sensitive readers.booknerdnative's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Is it too early to call my favorite book of 2021? Yes. But, I have a feeling this will be at the tippy top of my favorites for this year. So hopeful and inspiring, I loved every minute of this charming story. It balances hard hitting and cozy really well. Brilliant!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Infidelity, Bullying, and Animal death
Moderate: Vomit, Sexism, Police brutality, Racism, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content
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