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ktkeps'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Grief, Suicide, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage
theuncannydani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Confinement, Rape, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia, Torture, Racial slurs, Blood, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My favourite thing about the line I've quoted above is that I've often seen it shared on social media and I've always been intrigued by it, but having just read it in its original context, it suddenly seems so much richer. This sentiment is true of the novel overall. Having only encountered Baldwin's writing in circulated snippets online and Raoul Peck's absorbing documentary I Am Not Your Negro, I was interested but ultimately uncommitted, ignorant of how truly talented and totally absorbing his narrative voice is. As I read this novel, I felt like my entire understanding of his work expanded. This development felt particularly special because I love Barry Jenkins' adaptation of this book so much and yet it now seems like a small fragment of this book's breathtaking story.
This book is so wonderful and so sad. Baldwin is fantastic with character voice. Tish is such a compelling character and her way of understanding and assessing her world was so sharp, at times both beautiful and funny. My copy was dog-eared by the end from the quotes I wanted to remember and include here. The scene near the beginning where Tish and Fonny have their first date in church and realise that "Now, we knew nobody loved us: or, now, we knew who did. Whoever loved us was not here." The way Baldwin writes about love and sex, which makes it sacred and redemptive. The insight into womanhood, gender, violation and agency was incredible. The scene where Joseph and Frank talk about raising kids despite experiencing poverty. The scene where Daniel discloses the things he endured in prison. The searing indictment of America, whiteness, capitalism and the penal system. All of it. I read this in two sittings. I want to re-read it immediately.
Graphic: Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Cancer
piperclover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
sofipitch'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: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and Suicide
el13'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Racism, Police brutality, and Alcohol
kn0tp0rk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Hate crime, Racism, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
evangant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
The mentioning of SA is never explicit, it's just a factor of the story, the slurs are meant to fuel specific moments; not used as an actual attack on the marginalized groupmoonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75
I will say, definitely take the SA content warning seriously. If you want specifics, it is a bit spoiler-ey:
Graphic: Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
Moderate: Police brutality and Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage
jaiari12's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Death and Suicide