Scan barcode
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Domestic abuse, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, War, Confinement, and Violence
kpitsker'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Self harm, Child abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, Rape, Mental illness, and Racism
tcrivera12's review
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, and Sexual violence
chyneyee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I strongly dislike the main character Tom because he has full of unfunny jokes, self-pity, and is an egotistical person. In fact, there are no loveable characters in this story, and Luke probably is the only one that can be slightly more acceptable than others. I feel Savannah is very observant and sees more things than others in the family. It's a family tragedy, or according to Savannah in the story, it's a very screwed-up family. Both Luke and Savannah are fighters but not Tom.
I'm very conflicted and in a dilemma in rating this book. It's a good story if ignoring the racist and sexist jokes plus long-winded details, which deserves a 4 out of 5. But I don't like wordy books, and I don't like most of the characters, especially Tom. Maybe it's 3.5 out of 5?
Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Antisemitism
Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt
drbex's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I read this for Coach Beard's Book Club (a Ted Lasso book podcast) otherwise I probably wouldn't have finished it. I don't get why it's Dr. Sharon's favorite book unless her claim that this was her favorite was tongue in cheek because Ted said his favorite was Fountain Head. Or maybe she considered it a collection of infinite case studies for therapists!
Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Racial slurs, Self harm, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
martinelecorff's review
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Racism, Child abuse, Death, and Murder
brokensporty's review against another edition
4.0
The blatant racism is included because it was a part of the time period the Wingo kids grew up in. Tom's early wanting to just ignore it and go along with his peers is exactly how things go down every day. That's what teenagers do. They try to fit in. Savannah is also representative of some teens. She stands up for what she knows is right no matter the consequences.
The graphic portrayal of the rape ties in to the coping mechanisms of different people. While I believe that Savannah's mental illness is hereditary, I also believe the events in her early life led directly to her dissociation and suicide attempts. Tom's way of dealing with being forcibly sodomized is far different from his sister's.
This is a beautifully written Southern story about family connections, abuse, mental illness, the power of the past, the power of forgiveness, and moving on. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to read Conroy.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Self harm, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Racism, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Toxic relationship
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”
Thus starts this tale.
A story of a man who wants to save his thrice suicide attempting twin sister and in doing so with the help of her therapist, and in the midst of a quasi-divorce, ends up saving himself by recounting the amazing and terrible upbringing in an idillic island on the marshes of Colleton South Carolina, of his incredible and brutal family, the raging abusive veteran father, the deceitful cunning mother, the pious good hearted grandfather, the adventurer passionate grandmother, his strong and beautiful older brother - the prince of tides, his twin the artist, the genius, the mad, and of himself and his terrible fault of trying to be conforming and sane amidst insanity.
The words are poetry and they take you down the path of Tom Wingo and his love for the south and his family, even when there’re as many reasons to love and to hate it.
The racist south, that is also so homecoming, the beautiful marshes, the oysters and shrimp always on the table, the otters and dolphins, the sunsets, the salty and tanned skin, the brine and mud, the wonderful nature, and the isolation that can be peaceful and treacherous.
One of my favourite things is the desperate honest need Tom has to be helped, and how finally he gets the will to procure it and be better, and fix himself as best he can.
A road to beauty, joy, hate, love, brutality, violence, love, madness and fantasy. It was a joy and wonder to follow this road through the author’s words, and I can’t wait to read more from him.
P. S.: some may say it has a lot of purple prose but for me it is just poetic and wonderful, able to conjure all the feelings.
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Child abuse, Animal death, Racism, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: War and Antisemitism
easpenceva's review
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Animal death, Self harm, and Suicide attempt