Reviews with content warning for Lesbophobia - Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

This is an absolutely fantastic book that has finally pulled me out of a reading slump. I loved her writing style, especially her characterisation. Some parts are very emotional but I still enjoyed it very much. However, I disliked the side stories. If I reread this book, which I probably will, I will definitely be skipping the side parts. I understood why they were included but in my opinion it added nothing to the story. I'd still recommend this book though!

Content Warnings

izzymvt's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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hanfaulder's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I consumed this book: I drenched it in gravy, swallowed it in one, and mopped-up the leftovers with a bit of bread. It was so hard to put down; and I read it in one sitting - which is saying something, as I am a slow reader - as I was so engrossed in the stories and characters presented in Oranges. I would describe this modern classic as a coming of age story about a young girl who is torn between her love of God, the community she was raised within, and her sexuality. It is a story painted in shades of grey, and I truly appreciate the nuances presented, as each character seems to breath, move and crawl out of the page. The characters also aren't always likeable, they don't always make the right choices, or say the right things: but that is life. And more importantly these characters are compelling, believable, and yet still feel eccentric and unique in their characterisation. Winterson is a weaver of words; she splices the core story with fairytales, which mirror the themes of the book and the lives of the characters, and she does this masterfully throughout the book. I may be biased, however, as I have a soft spot for myths and legends. Moreover, her writing style is meaty and evocative. It was never dull reading this book. I laughed and in the same breath I could have cried, and at its core that is what this book is about: it is about pain, how we heal, reflections on the past and how we move on from it (hopefully with ourselves mostly still intact).

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grace2810's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

I read this book in two days. I’ve been craving some books containing queer women and so actively sought this out. It made me emotional thinking about the journey I have only just begun - becoming comfortable in my sexuality. Winterson’s writing is beautiful, simple and effective and yet suddenly veering into the philosophical and existential. A couple of pages before the end there is a section all about life and death. It is beautiful. Would recommend 100%.

Content Warnings

cloverstone11's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad fast-paced

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

4.5

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orlagal's review

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dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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? Yes

4.0

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