Reviews

Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe

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k8lovesbread's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

ashleyoop's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

stellahadz's review against another edition

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dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

All I have to say is WOW. This is such a powerful, heart-wrenching story. While I can't relate to the specific situation of the characters, the book perfectly captures the feeling of growing out of childhood and retaining love for friends whose lives you no longer fit into. The demolition of the housing project echoes the loss of the characters' innocence and girlhood, which is just brilliant storytelling. Everything about this book feels nostalgic and melancholic. It's a beautiful and heartbreaking story of the grief, and ultimately the forgiveness, that comes with growing up.

Content Warnings

nflowers's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Last Summer on State Street portrays the complex nature of growing up black and in poverty in Chicago. Being born and raised in Chicago I got a lot of nostalgia from this book. Loved everything up until the end because it felt rushed and unresolved and no accountability for some of the character's actions.

lilmxguillotine's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

kateburstein31's review against another edition

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5.0

This is an incredibly powerful and well-written book. I was near tears at various points in the story, and the author left me wanting to continue learning about the characters by the close of the book. I highly recommend!