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fyredragyn's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Rape, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Lesbophobia
mal8181'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
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture
kaffee_auf_ex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
I was so relieved when I finished this book. I wouldn't have finished this if I hadn't been reading it for a book club.
Let's start with the positive: Isabel Allende obviously knows how to write. I also really enjoyed the historical context that we got. That's about it.
The book is very graphic. I don't mind that in general, in fact I enjoy it sometimes. But not when we have to listen to the thoughts of pedophiles, rapists, racists and killers and also get the very details of their actions described to us.
We have 3 female main characters but never get their perspective. Instead, we hear from men that are the literal worst.
People tend to love Clara because "omg she's so dreamy and quirky" when really, she just enables her husband to do the worst things to the women around them both including his sister even though Clara supposedly loves here. I mean, what's that about?
Also, I hated the racist terms used but I know that it's because this book is old.
In conclusion: This book was well written but I hated every second its content.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Sexism, Torture, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Racism, Rape, Death, and Slavery
fatoodles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I fell in love with Clara and loved her so deeply and in contrast I hated Estaban sooooo much but always hoped that he would change and be a better man.
Otherwise I had a hard time connecting to many of the other characters as the choices they made... Made so little sense.
I was really bothered by all the casual rape in this book. As well as the other traumatic situations that just felt dumped down into the story. I didn't look into what the book was about prior to starting and so I was surprised at the direction the story took. That being said politics was mentioned all throughout the story and so I'm not sure why I was so surprised. I also know the history and so I knew we would be talking about the civil war... I just thought it'd be lighter.
I loved the prose and I appreciated my time with this family.
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
latebush's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Torture, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Sexual harassment
zoinkie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Body horror, Adult/minor relationship, Torture, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and War
adriatrees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, Death, and Sexual violence
sapphichaos'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
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Death, Torture, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
riffmonkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I do not want to read about exploitation or rape. I do not give a shit about torture and the most dark psychological hellscape you can come up with. But just 500 pages of a garbage human ruining the lives of this magical family made me feel sick to my stomach. It's a fucking miracle I even finished this book although I am quite sure I was dissociated for the last 2 chapters at least.
Graphic: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Torture
emmagiverny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Death of parent, Torture, Death, War, Animal death, Rape, and Addiction
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug use, Pregnancy, Violence, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Sexual assault