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madisonmila's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- 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? No
3.5
I wanted to like this more. It started off very interesting, and the author writes really beautifully. Definitely a lot of similar writing to Where the Crawdads Sing. Unfortunately, it took a long time to get to the interesting part of the plot. By the time it reached the climax, there was little left to the book and it felt rushed. I wish the pacing was a bit better, otherwise I enjoyed everything else about the story. Thank you to NetGalley for the giveaway!
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical trauma, Infertility, and Death of parent
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Sometimes family is not who you’ve been given, it’s who you choose.”
If you like Where the Crawdads Sing, then you’ll have to read this one.
Reading the story about Leah, a bright and cheerful young girl who went through a lot of stuff really breaks my heart to pieces, knowing that all she ever wanted was a family and a home.
Throughout the story it was filled with Leah’s longing to a life she used to know before her father had an accident at work. I can’t help but cry while listening to the audio book. The narrator did a very great job of delivering this story, her voice capture every emotions in the story.
While most of the story is heart-breaking, there are some parts that shows love and hope. Like Leah’s friend Jesse who never stop sending her letters, Mary Ann and Michael Henry that befriend her despite their wicked evil mother – Mrs. Griffin (I was so angry with her ever since she came into Leah's life, I wish I could slap Mrs. Griffin).
Then there’s that surprising twist near the ending which was totally unexpected!
I didn’t know anything about the eugenics movement before reading this one and to know it actually happen in our reality was horrifying.
Overall, this is a powerful debut novel!
This is a story that will stick with me for a long time. It’s an emotional roller coaster story filled with longing, loss and hope.
I highly recommend for you to read this book and with a tissue box beside you!
“Forgetting and forgiving are two different things.”
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to RB Media and the author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Medical trauma
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I received a copy for review from Netgalley.
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this as the start of it really reminded my of Where the Crawdads Sing . The beginning chapters were very similar, but once you get to part two it's a very different experience. Right away with meeting the new family that Leah is staying with you can pick up on culty, radical evangelical vibes. While I understand it's the 1930's and times were very different it's still very weird to me to have a 14 year old as your hired help. From there it's a very sad and difficult story to get through. Leah is forced to basically leave school, become a helpmate to a woman, who we find out later in the story is her aunt, and is berated constantly for minor infractions (some that are caused by some kind of seizure). The whole story is sad and by the end Leah is even forced to go through a nonconsensual sterilization AT 14.
Do I recommend people read this? Sure, I think it makes a good book for discussions, especially since forced sterilization are still happening in America to this day, but I do warn that you be in the right mind-frame to handle the content.
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this as the start of it really reminded my of Where the Crawdads Sing . The beginning chapters were very similar, but once you get to part two it's a very different experience. Right away with meeting the new family that Leah is staying with you can pick up on culty, radical evangelical vibes. While I understand it's the 1930's and times were very different it's still very weird to me to have a 14 year old as your hired help. From there it's a very sad and difficult story to get through. Leah is forced to basically leave school, become a helpmate to a woman, who we find out later in the story is her aunt, and is berated constantly for minor infractions (some that are caused by some kind of seizure). The whole story is sad and by the end Leah is even forced to go through a nonconsensual sterilization AT 14.
Do I recommend people read this? Sure, I think it makes a good book for discussions, especially since forced sterilization are still happening in America to this day, but I do warn that you be in the right mind-frame to handle the content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Death of parent, and Medical trauma
janelleaimi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Child abuse, and Death of parent
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this one but the pacing and writing style just wasn’t my cup of tea. It’s more telling than showing and not much happening in the plot so sadly I DNFd
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Child abuse
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