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alisonvh's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
3.5
I found parts of this book to be problematic, but it’s very well written and historically accurate. On the whole I liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcoholism, Misogyny, War, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Ableism
sammie_snk's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Challenging read for sure but well written by the authors. This was a fictional story of real people with real flaws and I felt the authors did the best they could with the existing uncomfortable facts. Frankly most of these characters aren't particularly likeable by modern standards but that doesn't mean they didn't do a single good thing or their stories aren't worth being told. I appreciated the authors highlighting a female voice that I wasn't previously really aware of from that time in history. I was shocked by the level of codependency Patsy had on her father. Her whole identity was dependent on being a daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Sometimes we have to sit with uncomfortable truths and I don't feel like the authors went out of their way to invent drama or moral dilemmas. I wouldn't re-read this book but I don't regret reading it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Slavery
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Violence and War
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