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drjoannehill's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is one of my sister's top 5 books ever so she lent it to me.
A family comes to terms with the death of the eldest daughter Lydia amid commentary on racial prejudice for American-born Chinese, mixed-race families, sexism and The Problem That Has No Name, in mid-century Ohio.
At first this book was really annoying because the characters dig their own holes on everything, it's a car crash in slow motion, I didn't like these people and I wanted to quit quite a few times. Later, it was a bit uncomfortable as I saw myself in Lydia, regarding the way she was treated by people she wanted to be friends with. The interweaving of the present (May 1977) with the past - from 1957 to 1977 - is done quite well to reveal Lydia's thoughts and actions; she doesn't stay silent. Everything that happens would be better if people just spoke to each other, is the moral.
A family comes to terms with the death of the eldest daughter Lydia amid commentary on racial prejudice for American-born Chinese, mixed-race families, sexism and The Problem That Has No Name, in mid-century Ohio.
At first this book was really annoying because the characters dig their own holes on everything, it's a car crash in slow motion, I didn't like these people and I wanted to quit quite a few times. Later, it was a bit uncomfortable as I saw myself in Lydia, regarding the way she was treated by people she wanted to be friends with. The interweaving of the present (May 1977) with the past - from 1957 to 1977 - is done quite well to reveal Lydia's thoughts and actions; she doesn't stay silent. Everything that happens would be better if people just spoke to each other, is the moral.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
pagesandtales's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Suicide
katyadaniela's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I loved this book from beginning to end, Celeste Ng really knows how to put words on a page and paint a picture of a small town family with real struggles. Even if you can't personally relate to the characters, they are written in such a way that makes you love and hate them at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
rei_vitalize's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Child death
page_karla's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
safaak's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
waterwomanwinters's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide
hannahri0's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
svtephreads's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
I cried unexpectedly many times
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Xenophobia, Child death, and Death of parent