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scrunklyguy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I really liked this book even if the pace is slower than what I usually read. I actually quite enjoyed reading all the little details and even if ever so often I remembered a detail that turned out to not matter all that much story-wise it didn't feel like I wasted my time reading words for nothing.
And if you're like me and you dislike reading spicy scenes this book is great because it barely contains any (explicit that is, there of course are mentions of sex and sometimes it's more than others but overall I didn't feel like it was too difficult to read)
A thing that shocked me was the language use in this book. Many words that today would be considered very offensive were used and at first it made me upset but I later realized it was simply the author trying to stay true to the 50's, so naturally that kind of language was used back then.
This book definitely made me reflect on many things and I really recommend reading this book.
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Outing, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Drug use
mel_katz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Police brutality and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
sknappy1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Deportation, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
katelynnreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Homophobia, Drug use, Deportation, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, and War
Great read.daydream'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
my heart is shattered beyond repair, but my heart is also full to the brim. no other book has ever made me feel quite so seen.
i think i cried the entire way through the last eight chapters, and i will probably never fully recover. i loved loved loved nearly everything about this book, and i'm so grateful i was able to experience it.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Outing, Racial slurs, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content and Drug use
tinyjude's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The writing, especially the descriptions (like the kiss scenes) were gorgeous and made me feel in my bones the yearning Lily was feeling. (I love yearning lesbians. She is so real for those lingering silent glances towards gay women). Furthermore, I liked her acknowledgement of the difference between the male and the female gaze, as well as the telegraph's club atmosphere and their relationship. I became infatuated with Tommy and Kath the same way Lily was, which speaks volumes about (my gayness and) Malinda Lo's talent and hard work. I will definitely check her future work. The only thing that left me feeling a bit empty was the shortness of the epilogue
Nonetheless, homophobia, forced outing, xenophobia, racism and toxic friendships are some of the triggering topics that you can encounter in this book, so beware.
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: War
kashby's review
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Hate crime, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Blood, and Miscarriage
rieviolet'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
I loved the mixing of the personal coming of age story with the wider historical and social context of the time. It was also so interesting to see how the author explored the different aspects of Lily's identity, how being both Asian-American and lesbian affected her.
Above all, I was stunned by how the words on the page provoked so many emotions within me. There were so many passages that really struck a chord with me and left me on the floor, knocked out, completely destroyed.
Lily and Kath's relationship was so beautifully developed, it felt raw and tender and hopeful, in spite of all adversities.
Graphic: Racism and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, War, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide, Drug use, Sexual harassment, and Forced institutionalization
_rhea_'s review
- 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: Homophobia, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Outing, Racial slurs, and Sexism
julesadventurezone's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Outing, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Miscarriage