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annabulkowski's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Vomit, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Gun violence, Death, Confinement, Classism, and Alcohol
matcha_pages's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Child death and Torture
Minor: Gun violence and Rape
awebofstories'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? It's complicated
4.0
Oh boy, this book will crawl into your psyche, shake you, and then never leave.
I wasn't sure I would read this. The only other Colson Whitehead book I've read is The Underground Railroad, which did not work for me (in short: I had trouble following the narrative and staying engaged). Given that, I was somewhat expecting this to be a repeat performance. However, I settled in with this immediately and found it difficult to put down.
However, just because I found this book readable doesn't mean I didn't find it to be challenging. I was expecting it, of course. I knew that this book took place in an abusive reform school. Given that I read a fair amount of Indigenous literature, which frequently addresses the Indian Schools in North America, I wasn't overly shocked by anything here because, well, abuse is abuse. Still, some of the scenes were absolutely horrifying reading this.
I was enjoyably surprised by the structure of the book. While I guess you could say it was a dual-timeline book, it didn't read like all of the other dual-timeline books out there. This was a streamlined narrative that traversed time seamlessly.
Colson Whitehead is deserving of all the accolades he receives and I would like to offer this book up to those who read The Underground Railroad and, like me, thought that he "wasn't for them." Trust me, Whitehead should be read by everyone.
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
skeltzer's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Torture, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
jaychaff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence
elizmarshall's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Child death, and Racism
jagodajagg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Hate crime, Blood, Child death, Death, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Sexual assault, and Torture
minareadsa19e1's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
scarlettiscrying's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Confinement, Torture, Racism, Child abuse, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Sexual assault and Racial slurs
faulknerd865's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse