Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Your Driver Is Waiting by Priya Guns

18 reviews

faeriviera's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A solid commentary on how our various social problems are connected, and especially about how one must be wary of performative activism. The only downside is I didn't really buy the romance.

Even if I hadn't known Jolene would betray her somehow, I wouldn't have gotten why Damani was so obsessed with her, and if I did, Jolene calling the cops on her friends would have packed even more of an emotional punch, rather than having me just grumble, "I knew it..." I'll also admit the openended ending didn't really work for me.

In spite of those flaws, this is highly recommended for those looking for catharsis as it seems like society is descending into its worst impulses. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Grief, and Excrement

Moderate: Classism, Racism, and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death

ienbdri's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• 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? Yes

3.25

This felt more like a first draft than a finished novel. I liked the ideas but nothing felt coherent. At times unnecessary stuff was over-explained but important action wasn't described at all. The pacing felt off and I had a hard time figuring out how much time had actually passed between chapters. This book had a lot of ambition and I don't think it achieved what it wanted to achieve. Quick read I don't regret nonetheless.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Racism, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Classism, Deportation, Grief, and Police brutality

mk_books's review

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, Deportation, Grief, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Classism

thewellreadmrs's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Stalking, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Racism

horizonous's review against another edition

dark funny reflective tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

4.25

A book that will linger with me because of the very distinct voice of Damani, the narrator. I probably could have read 200 more pages of her interior monologue simply because I really like this type of.. dry, but sharp, matter of fact writing, however at the same time I found the story a bit too meandering at times. But Priya Guns is definitly an author I will keep an eye out in the future!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, and Stalking

Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Classism, Death of parent, Deportation, Grief, Mental illness, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Vomit

Mental illness = Depression

tenderbench's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Classism, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Sexual assault, Car accident, Deportation, and Mental illness

Minor: Death of parent and Police brutality

planning2read's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Grief

caseythereader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Thanks to Doubleday Books for the free advance copy of this book.

 - YOUR DRIVER IS WAITING is a gender-flipped retelling of TAXI DRIVER, updated to the current day. Making Damani a driver for a rideshare company and making Jolene a white ally is brilliant.
- At times the points Guns is making are a bit on the nose, but the oppressive, hopeful yet hopeless atmosphere of the story is perfect.
- This book is pretty short and I wish there could have been more depth to some of the characters and story elements. I would love to see what Guns can do with a longer, more immersive story. That said, I could not put this book down, and read it within about 48 hours. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Drug use, Car accident, Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Alcohol