Scan barcode
thursdd4y'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
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Gore, Car accident, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Grief, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Murder, and Violence
itsmelaurenc'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Incest, Racial slurs, Car accident, Child death, Infertility, Death of parent, Outing, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, War, Death, Deportation, Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, and Body shaming
kibiiiariii'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
3.75
Graphic: Dementia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, War, Abandonment, Car accident, Death, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Genocide, Grief, Infertility, Islamophobia, and Pregnancy
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Body shaming, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Death, Incest, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racism, Sexual content, Transphobia, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
mpswans1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Incest, Medical trauma, Genocide, Dysphoria, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Grief, War, and Death of parent
Minor: Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Body shaming, and Drug use
thewordsdevourer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i didnt expect the book to be such a sweeping family saga, but the journey from a tiny greek village to industrial detroit - peppered w/ historical flair, adventurous excitement and bittersweet farewell - is an entertaining one both bc of the characters, the cultural roots they bring, and the larger political and social forces. the book's dry and oft self-depracating voice also elevates it, providing enough indight and intimacy while also seeming detached and distanced enough, never giving in to any overdramatic flair however tempting it must have been.
the story of cal's forebearers are so interesting (though at times too detailed and sometimes seems a tad unnecessary, hence my criticism of its length), however, that they render the novel's second half - more focused on cal w/ the typical childhood droll and introspective teenage mulling (necessary and expected, but still) - to pale in comparison. it's a lil ironic that the book's focus on cal doesnt include more of his other interesting aspects that must have come afterwards; i wouldve loved to read more - not necessarily in detail - of what transpires between the interim 26-ish yrs of cal's 15 yr-old rebirth and present day.
even so, this is an enjoyable read abt family and identity, and certainly a well-written one - so well-written and absorbing in its voice, in fact, that i could hardly believe a middle aged man wrote it. quite simply, it's a great story and i understand all the accolades it got.
Graphic: Car accident, War, Incest, Medical content, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Violence
shibaunited's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Grief, Outing, Homophobia, Incest, Lesbophobia, War, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
darkmattersoybean's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Car accident, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gun violence, Grief, Hate crime, Incest, Infertility, Murder, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Transphobia, War, and Violence