You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
emmavardy2's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An outstanding book. Luther Dunphy, a hardline Christan, shoots abortion doctor Gus Voorhees dead outside a womans health centre. What ensues is a story of two families affected in the aftermath of the shooting. This is a long book but a worthwhile time investment. It brings up complex and conflicting views. It is a story of conviction, loss, and the different ways people react in grief. A brilliant read that will stay with me for sometime. I'll be reading more from Joyce Carol Oates.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Confinement
book_perk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Joyce Carol Oats brilliantly addresses a controversial issue by exploring the extremes of the pro-life and pro-choice movements in America. Two families are linked through the murder of abortion doctor Augustus Voorhees by the extremely religious Luther Dunphy. The book is mostly character driven with an in depth analysis of the two men and follows their families after the tragic event. I preferred earlier potions of the book such as descriptions of the legal proceedings and the public's reaction to the case. However, I found the book to be much longer than necessary and got bored at a few points. Although I liked the idea at the end of the book, I thought it was extremely drawn out and wished the boxing scenes had been significantly cut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Car accident, and Abortion
Minor: Child death and Violence