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rieviolet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This novella packs a lot into a little more than one hundred pages.
In the foreground there's race and the concept of passing, with all of its moral implications. I think the theme is explored really well, and through the different characters we can observe all of its nuances.
The author is also good at delving deep into the main character's psychology. The relationship between Irene and Clare is fraught with conflicting emotions, and it is build upon in a very clever way until the shocking breaking point.
I really appreciated the themes and the prose, but I wasn't completely swept away by the story, hence the 4-star rating.
In the foreground there's race and the concept of passing, with all of its moral implications. I think the theme is explored really well, and through the different characters we can observe all of its nuances.
The author is also good at delving deep into the main character's psychology. The relationship between Irene and Clare is fraught with conflicting emotions, and it is build upon in a very clever way until the shocking breaking point.
I really appreciated the themes and the prose, but I wasn't completely swept away by the story, hence the 4-star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Suicide, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
megelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
"As far as I can see, you’ll just have to endure some things and give up others. As we’ve said before, everything must be paid for."
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Death of parent
nialiversuch's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol