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taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment and Blood
rainytea's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
rebthack'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
bsteve24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Violence
katypicken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Infidelity
wear_sun_screen'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, and Violence
kikicochrane's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Bullying
tesshersh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Xenophobia
plantbasedbride's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Set in 1890s Atlanta, The Downstairs Girl shines a light on the life of Jo Kuan, a 17-year-old Chinese American girl trying to find her way in a world that is doing its best to box her in. Working as a lady's maid to a vicious mistress in a grand house, Jo finds solace in evenings at home where she and Old Gin, the kind man who took her in as an infant, live like stowaways in the basement under a print house. While listening in on a conversation in the rooms above and learning that the newspaper that is printed there is at risk of folding, Jo hatches a brilliant plan to anonymously pen a rousing advice column under the pen name "Miss Sweetie" in an attempt to save both the paper and her home.
In a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, betrayal, and the true meaning of family, Stacey Lee weaves the tale of the incomparable Jo into the fabric of a society on the brink of a seismic shift. The suffragette movement and their exclusion of women of colour take centre stage as Miss Sweetie tears down misconceptions of race and gender one witty and neoteric column at a time.
I adored Jo and that the focus of this story was on her goals and love of found family over a romantic relationship. Even the secondary characters were well-developed and vibrant, and the pacing felt just right. I couldn't put this one down and finished it in a single afternoon, crossing the finish line with tears in my eyes and my heartstrings thoroughly pulled.
I couldn't recommend this novel more. Please read it!
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Infidelity, and Sexism
leannj's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Infidelity