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auteaandtales's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death and Sexual assault
rin_dawg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
flamesocks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexism, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
sigynmoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Moderate: Misogyny, Ableism, and Animal death
A character constantly acts like the protagonist is worthless for being an unmarried woman in her thirties. The protagonist faces a lot of pressure to find a boyfriend/get married despite not wanting to. The protagonist is autistic coded, whilst it isn't specified and faces a lot of ableist judgement. There is talk of a dead bird near the beginning.maravika's review against another edition
2.0
Minor: Animal death
aegireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death
cameeroo's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Stalking
Moderate: Ableism, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Animal death
samvansam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Ableism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
lookingmuchimproved's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
It's a bit of an unusual narrative. The main character, who seems to be autism-coded, struggled a lot growing up because her logic didn't seem to work the same way that society's did. She has trouble grasping the things that everyone is already supposed to know and no one can ever seem to explain them in a way that makes sense.
She has found a job that really suits her - working as a store worker at a convenience store - and has been working there part time for 18 years. It's a comfortable, orderly environment for her where she understands the rules and procedures.
Of course, many people don't think that this is enough. She is happy and content, but dislikes seeing people who care about her so upset for her about her life.
And therein lies the essence of this novel which is a new take on the long standing man vs. society narrative conflict.
I found the novel very thought provoking. Why are we so obsessed with labels and being able to neatly fit people into boxes? Why are we more comfortable if we can file someone away, even under a negative label, than not understanding them or their choices?
What is so wrong with someone working at a convenience store for the rest of their lives if they want? Why do we have to harass them about it if they are content, taking care of themselves, supporting themselves, and even finding purpose in what they do? What more could any of us ask for? Why are the expectations of others the responsibility of the individual?
The only caution I would give is that I think readers will only enjoy this if they REALLY love character driven novels. The reader has to be okay with spending most of the novel inside the head of the narrator and for there to be only a minimal amount of linear plot.
I do very much enjoy those things and am therefore giving this 4.0 stars.
Graphic: Ableism and Misogyny
Minor: Stalking and Animal death