Scan barcode
amanda_reads13'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
Demon is the voice of the impoverished, opiod addicted, abandoned people of Appalachia. His voice is incredibly unique and his story tell one of resilencey, loyalty, and pride. This book never stops as he ensures foster care, child labour, the broken education system, addiction, and crushing losses. This book is messy, emotional, and intense. This story could have been very bleak, yet within the pages is a tale of hope with a touch of humor.
The book is so beautifully written and the setting plays almost like a secondary character in how intertwined and vivid it is.
Demon is an immensely flawed, but likable character. We're rooting for him to succeed. He ensures abandonment, abuse, homelessness, addiction, and so much loss. His life forces him to grow up so fast, otherwise he literally would not survive. Yet, through all he endured, he does just that, he survives and perseveres.
We are introduced to so many other interesting and captivating characters along the way. They all played such an important role in his life. Maggot, the lost soul just trying to survive while being so different. Tommy, the soft hearted man who pulls himself up against insurmountable odds. The Peggots, the kind hearted neighbours who help as much as they can. Dorie, the lost girl who could never be saved. Angus, the girl who supported him no matter what. His teachers, who encouraged and supported him to follow his dream of drawing. This is such a memorable cast of characters.
Unfortunately, the author does lean very heavily on the stereotypes of the Appalachia region. Every stereotype you can think of about that region happens Demon in this book. I wish that there would have been a little more breaking stereotypes rather than amplifying them. That said, I did think that Demon was a very interesting and captivating character.
With so many heavy topics addressed in this book, it does veer towards feeling preechy or like a lecture at times.
I really liked the ending.
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
nikshelby's review against another edition
Abuse of children and women. Alcoholism. Drug use (and overdose). Poverty and despair.
I should’ve realized when it won the Pulitzer that it would be rife with a bleak outlook, despondent characters, and heartbreaking situations.
Graphic: Violence, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Infidelity
msvernier'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
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Child abuse, Grief, Drug use, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia
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
sjanke2'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Vomit, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Self harm, Animal death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Violence, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Blood, Emotional abuse, Rape, Medical content, and Physical abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Trafficking, War, Abortion, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Sexual violence
kshertz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Classism, Death of parent, Blood, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Gore, Body horror, Bullying, Abortion, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Toxic friendship, Violence, Abandonment, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Child death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Murder, and Alcohol
starlily's review against another edition
Moderate: Homophobia, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Outing, Abandonment, Addiction, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
gabriellejon'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: Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Abortion, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Grief, Drug use, Child death, Addiction, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Cursing, Death, Toxic friendship, Classism, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Physical abuse
thebasiccritic'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? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Death of parent, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Grief, Violence, Abandonment, Death, and Physical abuse
kola10981928'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Grief, Violence, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Animal death
Minor: Cursing, Car accident, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Blood, Hate crime, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness