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mal_reads_books'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? Yes
3.25
I would've liked the book more had it been trimmed by at least a third. It was repetitive and unnecessarily over-detailed at times. Some scenes could've been removed without affecting the story or diminishing the overall message. Also, the writing was underwhelming and most characters were flat. I didn't like Grant's selfishness and when he took his anger out on the students.
Content-wise this was a tough and depressing read. Even though I already knew what will happen to Jefferson, seeing his development and eventually opening up to Grant made me at times not want to reach the ending.
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death, Blood, Gun violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content, Sexism, and Slavery
aublyn105'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? Yes
4.5
This novel was incredible, slightly slow at times for me, I don't know if that's because I read it for school or not. Gaines is an amazing writer and I want to read more of his work soon. Amazing ending, I loved the characters.
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Murder, Gun violence, Confinement, Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Mental illness, Torture, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Sexism
morrisimo's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Death
someonelikeblue's review against another edition
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Confinement, Violence, Child abuse, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery
bubothereader's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
- Gaines pointed out the utter absurdity of saying "god is with you" when you've been falsely accused of murder, then get killed for it.
- Accurate display of the 40s US South.
- This book is more about Grant's transformation, than Jefferson's.
- Heart-wrenching, but ended the way it should to depict the injustice faced in the USA. You regret it just as much as everyone else.
- Characters outside of Grant were weak.
- This book is Black Lives Matter before BLM existed.
- It's methodical on purpose; I really loved his take on god and bravery.
Graphic: Death and Murder
parmtootz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Death, Police brutality, and Hate crime
luluslittlelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Death
beetsnotbombs's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence