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rieviolet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
As a recent memoir-enthusiast, I have to say that Free has all the elements that I really love in this genre: a powerful and distinct authorial voice, a glimpse into a different geographical/temporal space, history seen through the eyes of an individual, and an interesting web of familair/interpersonal relationships.
I really liked the characters' portrayal, especially when it came to the author's father and grandmother, they really stood out in all their complexity.
I also really appreciated the irony that shone thorughout the book, amidst the more serious and bleak events.
Shamefully, I have to admit that so much of the history explored in the book was unknown to me, despite being relatively close to me both in time and in space. It was an informative and really eye-opening reading experience.
I'd like to re-read it in the future so that I can spend more time on and better absorb the more reflective sections, that were very interesting but I'm afraid a bit demanding for my (still quite ignorant) brain.
I really liked the characters' portrayal, especially when it came to the author's father and grandmother, they really stood out in all their complexity.
I also really appreciated the irony that shone thorughout the book, amidst the more serious and bleak events.
Shamefully, I have to admit that so much of the history explored in the book was unknown to me, despite being relatively close to me both in time and in space. It was an informative and really eye-opening reading experience.
I'd like to re-read it in the future so that I can spend more time on and better absorb the more reflective sections, that were very interesting but I'm afraid a bit demanding for my (still quite ignorant) brain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexism
Moderate: Trafficking, Murder, Police brutality, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Death, Classism, Ableism, Grief, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Bullying, and Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Mass/school shootings, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Rape, Homophobia, Animal death, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Deportation
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