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bookbih42069's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The main character is easy to root for, flaws, challenges, and all. As a reader, it is easy to be caught in the wave of events with him with a growth in understanding. I think everything was intentional, which I mention because I read some other reviews before posting this to cover my take on some themes in the reviews. I would say this book is HEAVY so totally get the “not in the mood” notes. The ending felt satisfying, and truthfully I saw the hints dropped throughout the story so I personally think it made perfect sense and I appreciate where things were left. As a reader, you really get dragged through the harsh events of Damon’s life right along with him. His perspective is the perspective of the book , so his mentions of past events made sense to me, as people we reflect on formative moments. Finally, this does cover topics many of us are familiar with intellectually, but the beauty of fiction is the opportunity to insert oneself into a world in a way more geared towards empathy enrichment than what non-fiction can do, or maybe it’s just Kingsolver.
TL;DR- amazing book you should definitely read
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Drug use
Minor: Trafficking and Suicide
terrywho's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The only way I can think of describing this book is by calling it full of heart. This story was at the same time heartfelt and heartbreaking, and it made you unable to stop reading all the while dreading every new paragraph.
This is a book about pain, grief and unimaginable hurt and yet it manages to never stew in that pain, even during the longest stretches of it in the narrative. It’s not a sad story for the sake of being sad, but it’s sadness serves a propose and highlights the cruelty of the world in such a way that sticks you even when you’ve closed the book.
To summarize all my thoughts I’m just going to say that I’ve never read a book quite like it and I’m not sure I ever will.
**Added at the end because if mild spoilers**
A little personal note, and definitely not the most important thing about this book but my favorite part of it: I’m a comic book artist, and seeing the art form I love most in the world made to be the thing that opens up a kid’s words, a life-line that and allows him to see the first glimpse of what life could be, a way to understand a life that seems beyond your understanding, and a universal language to talk about you, your world, your comunity and your history never once failed to make me smile and love comics even more that I already did, which is something I didn’t think possible.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Self harm, Death, Addiction, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Miscarriage
milanaradic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Death, Trafficking, Suicide, Grief, and Drug abuse
scottishhands'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Child abuse, Trafficking, Abandonment, Addiction, Grief, Rape, and Abortion
mercurysflame'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
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
rmlknisely's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Trafficking, Alcohol, Classism, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Racism, Child abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse
accidentalfolklore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Trafficking, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Pregnancy
esther_floraa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Trafficking, Violence, Emotional abuse, Racism, Cancer, Death, Child abuse, Classism, Drug use, Death of parent, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
emamazee'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Trafficking and Miscarriage
Minor: Suicide
sjtowry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Pregnancy, Violence, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Trafficking, Vomit, Addiction, Abortion, Abandonment, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship