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skudiklier's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
God, I love this series.
It's a bit bittersweet because I've only recently become fully aware of the extent of Rainbow Rowell's issues--namely, her racism in her earlier book Eleanor & Park, and her subsequent lack of apology or any form of acknowledgement of the harm she's caused. Eleanor & Park continues to be her most well-known and successful work, and it's being adapted into a movie, and Rowell still hasn't done *anything* to make up for its racism. Which is inexcusable, and leads me to think I shouldn't support her or her work moving forward.
That said, I do love this series. If I were to think of this book without that knowledge of Rowell's racism in her other work, then I would unreservedly recommend this trilogy, and say this book was my favorite of the three. It's so much about intimacy, and healing, and how to make relationships work, and family, and I cried even when I didn't need to at all. It was beautiful.
But I don't believe the art and the artist can be separated like that--not when she has refused to listen to those she's harmed, or acknowledged said harm at all. I don't think Rowell or her work should be supported, at least for now. I won't be buying any of her future books unless she fully reckons with the harm her racism has caused.
It's a bit bittersweet because I've only recently become fully aware of the extent of Rainbow Rowell's issues--namely, her racism in her earlier book Eleanor & Park, and her subsequent lack of apology or any form of acknowledgement of the harm she's caused. Eleanor & Park continues to be her most well-known and successful work, and it's being adapted into a movie, and Rowell still hasn't done *anything* to make up for its racism. Which is inexcusable, and leads me to think I shouldn't support her or her work moving forward.
That said, I do love this series. If I were to think of this book without that knowledge of Rowell's racism in her other work, then I would unreservedly recommend this trilogy, and say this book was my favorite of the three. It's so much about intimacy, and healing, and how to make relationships work, and family, and I cried even when I didn't need to at all. It was beautiful.
But I don't believe the art and the artist can be separated like that--not when she has refused to listen to those she's harmed, or acknowledged said harm at all. I don't think Rowell or her work should be supported, at least for now. I won't be buying any of her future books unless she fully reckons with the harm her racism has caused.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Cursing
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Grief, Homophobia, Medical trauma, and Animal death
Minor: Kidnapping, Child abuse, Murder, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide attempt
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