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lindsayorme's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Blood, and Animal cruelty
laceb007's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book was so unique and unlike anything else I've ever read. Bitingly funny, horrific, and deeply moving. I really loved everything about this book. I loved the shifting perspectives. I loved how the characters threaded in and out of each other's lives. I love how deep the grief runs, how many different types of grief are put on display, and how characters we only meet for a couple pages are whole and complete people. I don't have enough good things to say about this book. If you want to take a good hard look at how much we mean to each other, read this book!
vickiterlap's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
lornaleanne96's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
inkcoffins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elphabawoods's review against another edition
Simply wrong time for such a complex book
natalieweinberg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Murder
smileitsfree's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Pros
- Thought provoking
- Writing style
Cons
- Purple prose
- Depressing
Very deserving of the National Book Award! I don’t think the blurb did this story any justice, I also hate this cover, but the way this book made me feel! All of the characters were so well developed and explored. Each one connects to the other in such a profound way that I honestly could reread tomorrow to try and figure out their completed intersections. I loved the writing style, particularly the first and last chapters were simply a delight to engage the reader for what’s to come and how we got there. There is one chapter in which I am convinced it was the reason it won the award as it was the most authentic portrayal of consent and abusive power dynamics I have ever read. Check trigger warnings. It can be a bit pretentious at times but its lit fic and the way it's addressed in the book was a great nod from the author in my opinion. Cannot recommend enough if you want to explore some darker themes in such a beautifully crafted, tension packed narrative.
C 10 A 7 W 10 P 9 I 9 L 9 E 8 8.8
pageka14's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
naisdayz's review against another edition
Initially really enjoyed this, but seemed to drag on eternally. Just felt like a chore to pick up after a while, the only thing that kept me going was that I really wanted to know how it ended, but not even that could drown out the boredom I felt.