Scan barcode
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
If You Come Softly is a good name for this book, because the whole story is very soft. Not much happens except a boy and girl slowly, hesitantly fall in love. Tragedy strikes at the end, but it's a senseless thing and happens right at the end with no real wrap-up or closure. You also knew from the beginning that this would happen, so it was not a surprise. It was a fine book, but nothing too special.
lias_reading_list's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annika_fabbi's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
newamsterdame's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing that struck me about this book is how specifically Woodson is able to sketch her characters. Ellie and Miah are both incredibly rendered in the small amount of space the book has-- their appearances, personalities, and very individualized emotional and family issues. This book doesn't talk down to its young intended audience in that way-- it invites them to come and get to know these people, however briefly, and understand them the way one begins to understand a person they speak to more and more. I think it's that brilliance of characterization that makes Ellie and Miah's love story ring true, and what makes the ending of the book so tragic and echoing.
Another thing I admire about Woodson's writing is her ability to introduce complex topics in an understandable, conversational way. She isn't didactic or presumptive in her depictions of race, instead exposing readers to different aspects or angles of a problem and inviting them to think about it from each of those vantage points. Ellie might be white in the way Miah's father describes whiteness-- as the privilege of not knowing what color you are-- but her introspection and questioning about race is very sincere. One of her conclusions-- that if she and her family aren't racist, why aren't there any black people populating their world?-- is both innocent and profound. At the same time, Miah's awareness of his race, the lessons he's been instilled with since he was very young, and the price he pays for singular moments of happy unawareness underscore the differences between growing up black or white in America, no matter what other privileges you have.
This book moves quickly and ends abruptly. But because of Woodson's deft characterization, poetic prose, and resonant emotion, it sticks with you and provokes thought.
Another thing I admire about Woodson's writing is her ability to introduce complex topics in an understandable, conversational way. She isn't didactic or presumptive in her depictions of race, instead exposing readers to different aspects or angles of a problem and inviting them to think about it from each of those vantage points. Ellie might be white in the way Miah's father describes whiteness-- as the privilege of not knowing what color you are-- but her introspection and questioning about race is very sincere. One of her conclusions-- that if she and her family aren't racist, why aren't there any black people populating their world?-- is both innocent and profound. At the same time, Miah's awareness of his race, the lessons he's been instilled with since he was very young, and the price he pays for singular moments of happy unawareness underscore the differences between growing up black or white in America, no matter what other privileges you have.
This book moves quickly and ends abruptly. But because of Woodson's deft characterization, poetic prose, and resonant emotion, it sticks with you and provokes thought.
ladylizardxvii's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what a beautifully-written, well-constructed book -- it's going to haunt me for the rest of my days. "If You Come Softly" is quick, only 200-odd pages, but it packs a lot of punch in those few. Woodson constructs a classic, believable love story in a short amount of time while also shedding a lot of light on modern-day issues of discrimination & prejudice. On that note, this book was published in the nineties, but I felt like Miah and Ellie were kids I knew in the present day. I would recommend this book to anyone!
ej_pitts's review against another edition
1.0
Nope, this book was so randomly written. Ellie being Jewish has nothing to do with the story whatsoever. It’s just kind of a a random fact about the character. There wasn’t anything about religion in the book. Originally when I read what the book was about I was thinking well this is going to be about an interracial relationship and the characters have two different faiths. They’ll work through that to find their perfect but nope religion was never really mentioned except at the end when Ellie’s mom mentioned Hanukkah and Yom Kippur. The ending was what really got me. She randomly killed Miah off and during the later part of chapter you don’t even know he is dead. It sounds like it but it’s left up in the air. You kind of sit there shocked that just happened. It’s like the author said well, I want this book to be a little bit longer so I’m going to write a few more chapters. We never even got to see how Ellie’s family was going to react to her dating a black boy. There was so much build up about her family’s potential reaction just to in the end kill off Miah. It had so much potential and but it didn’t follow through. Lastly i don’t think anyone in New York 20 years ago would care about an interracial relationship. If the author wanted it to be taboo she should’ve made it in a different time period like 50 years ago or instead just had them in the south. Lastly, to show credibility: I have been in interracial relationships and no one every gives me or my significant other any looks or judgement. Honestly, I don’t recommend this book. 1 star is being generous.
fortheloveofturtles's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
this is a book as much about the magic of falling in love for the first time as it is about navigating injustice.
melthomp13's review against another edition
4.0
this book is so short, simple, yet heart wrenching. it breaks my heart that this was published more than 20 years ago and is still just as relevant now as it was then.
anniefwrites's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
What can I say? I’m devastated. Jacqueline Woodson is an absolute genius—one of the best naturalistic writers there is. Exquisite yet simple details, crystal clear atmosphere, expert weaving of big questions and little moments, characters you know and love immediately. It was so poignant and so heartbreaking and I think I’m gonna be sad about this for a while.