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orangeoverload's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Death
sara_m_martins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
In their 50's, living with their mother in a cottage and isolated from broader society for the most part, they start to truly navigate the world and, with that, their dire economic situation. Dealing with poverty, in particular rural poverty, but equally moral poverty (being without responsible adults that teach you how to be in the world), we see the consequences of the cycle of poverty, and of the lies and omissions from their mother. There is also a strong theme of illiteracy which I think it was a very strong, important and unusual perspective.
The writing was very atmospheric, which augmented a feeling of discomfort I had throughout the book.
The plot is on how the cycle of poverty feedbacks onto itself, a spiral that keeps going down, which is amplified by the moral poverty of the characters - their ignorance on what systems exist that can support them (and refusal to ask for/accept them). However, about 75% of the way through the "it gets worse" is drastic, with a change in gears that lost me for a sec, and needed a recalibration (
Their subplots of Julius' romance, and the family's love of music were a nice break from the main plot. I also think Jeanie can be read as asexual, from subtext, although I don't think it was done on purpose.
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
deals in depth with poverty and homelessnesslmkay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
sjanke2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
cath_collette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gun violence and Infidelity
stayathomereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Panic attacks/disorders