remilymartin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Rape, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Incest, Grief, Hate crime, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Abortion
Moderate: Death of parent
kylita's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Betty, half Cherokee half white, is the sixth of eight children and is the narrator of her eponymous story. Mixed with stories of her parents' past, Cherokee legends, Betty's poems, and a narrative of her life, Betty is sure to wreck you.
It was the most heart-wrenching book I have ever read and had every form of trauma there ever was. Everyone who knows me I am an emotional person but Betty made me physically ill in two parts of the story. What made it harder to stomach is that it is based, not loosely, on the author's mother.
So why five stars? Betty is lyrically written with a bond between father and daughter so pure, you can't help but want to know how their story ends.
It is ultimately hopeful, but first, you have to trudge through the brutality that is a reality for many people. Please make sure you are in the right headspace before starting this book and give yourself time to breathe.
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Vomit
lilacsandliterature's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was enthralled with this novel from the very first pages and could not believe the lyrical words my eyes flew over. This story is incredibly difficult to read but immensely powerful as you run alongside Betty, helping her father pick herbs for medicine, trying to understand her mother’s depression, and keeping secrets she doesn’t want to for her sisters. This is an amazingly written book that you do not want to sleep on! I seriously can’t recommend this book enough. A family saga like no other, with the feel of books I’ve read and loved before in the background. For lovers of The Glass Castle, Educated, The Immortalists...do not miss out on this one!
Graphic: Incest, Child abuse, Child death, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug use, Medical trauma, Torture, Death of parent, Self harm, Suicide, Abortion, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Hate crime, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Blood
rozereads's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Incest, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Death
Minor: Drug abuse, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Medical trauma