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virgcole398's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I listened to it on audiobook. All the narrators did an amazing job!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Classism, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Body shaming
annamary54's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This book is fantastic, I will definitely be recommending to everyone. Each characters struggle to just survive in the face of gentrification, and how their stories crossover is so captivating. These characters had so much perspective, it felt like I knew them. The chapter “Lite Feet” especially got to me, I was not expecting that. (iykyk) My other favorites were “Ms. Dallas,” “Camaraderie,” and “Federation for the Like-minded.” This book also captures the english language in a way that is rarely used in literature. Some of the best writing I’ve encountered on my current reading kick. I will say I struggled to get into the book since it’s not very plot driven (and I like a plot heavy book), but once I understood the flow of it I really enjoyed it. Especially once I reached “Ms. Dallas,” I couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Classism
Moderate: Fatphobia and Child death
Minor: Violence
brynalexa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Loved the cast of characters in the audiobook. Great concept. I loved how all the stories slightly intertwined, I wished they would have more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Death of parent, Child death, Fatphobia, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
salemander's review against another edition
4.5
very beautifully written and tragic collection of stories. wasn’t a fan of the language and treatment of the chinese characters in one of the stories, it really wasn’t necessary. the mrs. davis and litefeet chapters made me so fucking sad for those kids, the education system is so fucked and i know those stories came from real experiences. overall a very interesting book and the way it was written phonetically was really cool!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Classism, Ableism, Fatphobia, Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual harassment
mladd28's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
cadence99's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A good book, which is definitely enhanced by an audiobook read, due to the multiple narrators used to depict each character. My main complaint is one of personal taste: I’m finding that I’m not a huge fan of fiction that only spends small chunks of time with each character- I am always left wanting more, feeling as if I’m missing so much of each persons story- overall, still a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
Minor: Fatphobia
cass_lit's review against another edition
3.5
What I liked about this:
- Each character was so flushed out despite only having a short story to themselves
- It’s a collection of stories about almost-strangers whose lives are connected by their living location
What kept me from loving it:
- Some of the main characters were very unlikable. I’m just not a huge fan of an unlikeable narrator.
- Many of the MCs used racist (often against Chinese side characters), ableist, and fatphobic language
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Fatphobia
Minor: Ableism
choicepotatoes_old's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The narration of the audiobook is phenomenal.
The characters are deliciously complex.
Each story feels whole.
---
5 - I would absolutelyread listen to this again
The characters are deliciously complex.
Each story feels whole.
---
5 - I would absolutely
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, and Child death
Minor: Death of parent
torrie_reads's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This collection was as good as I was anticipating. I truly enjoyed all of the stories but, of course, some stood out more. I really loved Kandese, Dary, Quanneisha, and Najee's stories. But they were all good.
However, there is quite a bit of fat-shaming in here so I would be conscious of that if it is a trigger.
As all know I am not good as reviewing short story collections so I'll leave it at that. But I think this is a great one to pick up if you like them.
However, there is quite a bit of fat-shaming in here so I would be conscious of that if it is a trigger.
As all know I am not good as reviewing short story collections so I'll leave it at that. But I think this is a great one to pick up if you like them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Stories from the Tenants Downstairs is a really strong collection of interconnected short stories. It is set in Banneker Terrace, a low income apartment building in a gentrifying area of Harlem, where the new building owners are looking to evict tenants who are behind in their rent.
What really struck me was the way the author vividly brought each of his characters to life. His use of subtly different formats and styles in his writing, as well as the varying ways he used and blended AAVE and standard English meant that each character had a unique distinctive voice. To me these were real people and I was fully invested in their stories, wanting the best for them as they hustled to find the rent money, get ahead, or bring a little joy into their life.
It’s exploration of themes like race, class, gentrification, education, individual choice, and community is nuanced. It’s a book that highlights issues but doesn’t offer easy answers. Rather it prompts thought and reflection on the part of the reader.
I definitely enjoyed my time with this book and will be on the look out for future work by this author.
What really struck me was the way the author vividly brought each of his characters to life. His use of subtly different formats and styles in his writing, as well as the varying ways he used and blended AAVE and standard English meant that each character had a unique distinctive voice. To me these were real people and I was fully invested in their stories, wanting the best for them as they hustled to find the rent money, get ahead, or bring a little joy into their life.
It’s exploration of themes like race, class, gentrification, education, individual choice, and community is nuanced. It’s a book that highlights issues but doesn’t offer easy answers. Rather it prompts thought and reflection on the part of the reader.
I definitely enjoyed my time with this book and will be on the look out for future work by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Child death
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism