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khuppe's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.25
A compelling coming of age story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Rape, and Sexual assault
siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I would have liked to have read this as a physical book, rather than an ebook, since I'm curious how the interludes between chapters looked in a physical copy. However, that's more of a curiosity thing than a quality thing.
I liked how Clemmons incorporated different styles into the book and different media snippets. Honestly, that part was so well executed, that I frequently forgot I was reading a work of fiction. Clemmons' voice throughout was so real and raw that it felt like a memoir. However, it also felt like a memoir in that at times it felt like I was missing something - almost like I should have been able to fill in some gaps myself, but I just wasn't able to. This was a cool and interesting read. Sometimes it was a challenge to figure out what was happening when, as sometimes Clemmons moved through time periods without differentiating them, but it was still a solid read
I liked how Clemmons incorporated different styles into the book and different media snippets. Honestly, that part was so well executed, that I frequently forgot I was reading a work of fiction. Clemmons' voice throughout was so real and raw that it felt like a memoir. However, it also felt like a memoir in that at times it felt like I was missing something - almost like I should have been able to fill in some gaps myself, but I just wasn't able to. This was a cool and interesting read. Sometimes it was a challenge to figure out what was happening when, as sometimes Clemmons moved through time periods without differentiating them, but it was still a solid read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Pregnancy and Toxic relationship
fraidyghost's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Really enjoyed the narrative structure of this book, and its narrator Thandi, whose relationships with her culture/identity and family I found deeply relatable. The story was rich without being weighed down by overly descriptive language (although there were places I wished for more). I only put it down once, and only because the style took a little bit of acclimation; once I fell into the rhythm I finished the rest in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Racism, Death, Abortion, Cancer, Classism, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
ejsreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What an absolutely stunning debut novel!
This book made me smile, cry, laugh, think --heck I felt it all. Some parts were absolutely soul-crushing. The way Clemmons portrayed love, joy, grief, and despair through her characters was raw, palpable, and equally heartfelt yet heartbreaking. The highs were triumphantly high and the lows were extremely low.
It definitely reads more like a memoir. There were times I had to remind myself it was fictional. This is the type of book you are sorry to finish for it truly made you think and, more importantly, made you feel. Read best on public transportation (read: university bus) so you can then gaze longingly out the window.
This book made me smile, cry, laugh, think --heck I felt it all. Some parts were absolutely soul-crushing. The way Clemmons portrayed love, joy, grief, and despair through her characters was raw, palpable, and equally heartfelt yet heartbreaking. The highs were triumphantly high and the lows were extremely low.
It definitely reads more like a memoir. There were times I had to remind myself it was fictional. This is the type of book you are sorry to finish for it truly made you think and, more importantly, made you feel. Read best on public transportation (read: university bus) so you can then gaze longingly out the window.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Pregnancy
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