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abookwormspov's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Child death, Death, Murder, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
flordemaga's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Murder and Death
ohsnapsabrina93_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Murder
omair's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
And yet in such a short space, powerful themes of gender roles, sexual identity, family trauma, possibly abuse, and severe mental illnesses are liberally sprinkled in along with commentary on individuality, agoraphobia, societal norms, greed, maturity (and familial responsibility in raising a child), and so much more. So much of what happens is left with such vague motives that the answers feel simultaneously obvious and yet impossibly absent.
The deeper I found myself into the book,
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Violence, Acephobia/Arophobia, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Ableism, Abandonment, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Bullying, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Animal death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, and Child death
chananya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Grief, Death, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Stalking, Violence, Self harm, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
lancemama's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness and Bullying
Moderate: Death, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
clovetra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying and Terminal illness
staghunters's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I liked The Haunting of Hill House very much, but would put this one above it. It is short, the tension is expertly woven, and so much is implied with each character and how they respond. The three Blackwood's feel both threatening and welcoming, Cousin Charles is an immediate interloper in their midst despite the family connection, and the villagers are a mixed bag that only shows remorse when the worst has already been done. By the end of the book, one supposedly feels conflicted about Merricat's assumption that they are oh so happy now
But the message is clear: how much does one need to be happy? Charles is eager to point out with frustration how the wealth that remains in the house is wasted on the Blackwood's sober lives. They don't make any use of it to live lavishly, but why would they? Content with weekly grocery trips and produce from the garden, there is no need to involve themselves more in the outside world. Not even the destruction of their trust and home can destabilize the bond that Merricat and Constance share.
One wishes them all the best, and may hopefully look at them for inspiration in hard times.
Moderate: Death
vbarsi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Murder and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent, Dementia, and Death
jomjom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Violence, Mental illness, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Incest