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nad_books623's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Cancer, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Classism, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs, Child death, Infidelity, and Slavery
hamstringy's review
- 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
4.5
I do agree with some reviews I read that his growth at times can feel a little too straightforward, but I also donβt think it really pulled me out of the story.
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Bullying, Terminal illness, and Misogyny
tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Grief, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Racism, and Infidelity
hayleyvharrington's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcohol
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
update: 1 hour later
I had book club and discussed this book with some really cool friends. After talking it out I can see where the author was going with this book. I think my take away is that we should give Black men grace and understand when it comes to the ways they show up in our lives. Some of them might not know the "typical" ways to show love so they show love in the only ways they know.
I'm giving this a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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This book is ultimately about generational trauma and Black boy and manhood.
The main character wasn't likeable at all and I didn't like how terrible the main character was. With each confession I just became more and more irritated with the book and him. He was somewhat a grey area character, but to me he was just an unlikeable asshole.
He often complained that he wanted his child to "be a man" and be confident and have strength but every chance the main character has at reaching out to his child to reconcile their relationship, he shys away. So now he's the meek one? Yeah, I don't like that hypocrisy, with as much grief as he gave his son for not acting like "a man", he could have stood up and "been a man" when it came to connecting with his son.
I felt sorry for his family because they had to deal with him. I understand that he is trying to learn and do better as a person, he's so unlikeable that I don't care if he's trying to become a better person. I'm trying to be understanding to his character but it's hard for me.
My friends felt more sympathy than I did for the main character and maybe you will too.
I'm giving this a 3 out of 5 stars.
Graphic: Ableism, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Outing, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
laurataylor's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Abortion, Chronic illness, Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Medical content, Colonisation, Cursing, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Racism
callikat's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Hate crime
evilyn's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Child death, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Slavery, Infidelity, Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, and Cancer
Moderate: Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Suicide
buttermellow's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence and Homophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Cancer, Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Bullying
Minor: Infidelity and Medical content
lindsloveslit's review against another edition
4.0
Some of my favorite quotes were:
"...this record of a poor Black father's appeal, is what any dying daddy might say to his son... Many of them were handed so little, yet expected so much. They gave more than they had, but less than we need."
"Now I see why you and your mother read so much. It makes you think, makes you see things you can't see, and that was my problem. I had all kinds of opinions ,but I couldn't see a damn thing."
"The more I thought about it, the more hurt I became. Hurt is worse than anger, you know. Anger dwells in the head, then fades. Hurt lingers in the soul. It arranges your feelings without your permission. It binds you."
"The day I finished the book, I closed it slowly. It had opened my eyes as if, my entire life, I'd been asleep. I'd never known I could decide how to live, how to be in this world. Never knew I had the right."
Graphic: Child abuse, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abortion and Infidelity