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realmagicfakereality's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Murder, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Racism, War, Vomit, Sexual content, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Rape, Racial slurs, Infidelity, Drug use, Bullying, and Blood
starstuff's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This would have been an easy 5 stars read if it weren’t for the relentless descriptions of women being overweight (“but still pretty” kind of bullshit), descriptions of flabs and rolls of fat… Such a disappointment for an otherwise fantastic story.
hannahpom's review against another edition
4.0
An extremely compelling story that is FAR too gruesome and graphic.
kiara_adir's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gabmc's review
4.0
This is a very powerful book where most of the action takes place in one night, between four former high school friends. The fictional town of New Canaan, Ohio, is the setting for the novel and high school friendships and romances play a large role. Drug addiction, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the aftermath of the 2008 recession, death at a young age and town rumours of 'the murder that never was' touch on all four characters who have a point of view. Bill Ashcraft was a left wing activist back in high school - he is back in 'The Cane' to deliver a mysterious package (the contents of which he doesn't want to know). His best friend from high school, Rick Brinkland was killed in Iraq. Then there is Stacey Moore, a graduate student who has returned to New Canaan at the request of the mother of her high school love - Lisa Han. Lisa hasn't been seen for years and her mother has reached out to Stacey to see if she has news of her. Dan Eaton is also back in town, to visit his parents and ex-girlfriend. Dan lost an eye in Iraq. Finally Tina Ross is returning - she had a 'relationship' with the former captain of the football team in high school which left her both physically and mentally scarred. Something bad happens on that night in 2013 and the novel leads up to this tragedy, exploring the relationships between the characters along the way.
alexyrouse94's review
5.0
I just...I...GUYS. I fucking can't. This was one of the best books I've read in such a long time. For everyone, but especially anyone who came of age in a small town. Double for anyone who came of age in that small town post 9/11. I want to shout about this book from the rooftops, but for the most part whenever someone asks what it's about I just don't have any real words to describe all of the beautiful, gut wrenching, horrifying, lyrical, familiar things that happen. Please give this a read.
bridget1989's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual violence, Rape, and War
capitanmarkok's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0