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booksillremember's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Violence
brookelc4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Kidnapping, Rape, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Child death, and Death of parent
booksjessreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
There were several short stories that just completely grabbed me, they are compelling and beautifully written. Keegan absolutely has such an impeccable way with words and has the capability to bring these stories alive in your imagination. I really liked how the collection really focused on relationships with others, be those romantic, familial or friendships, and the complexities of them. The stories are very dark, capturing the absolute worst side of the human condition, but they were intriguing and suspenseful and kept you wanting more.
Furthermore, stories were not just set in Ireland, but in the UK and America as well. I felt the American stories were somewhat less compelling, especially the use of racial slurs in the final two stories. Whilst their intention may have been used to help set the scene of the times in that story, their use was unnecessary. I appreciate that this was written in the 90s and that she is an author who has continually written about social injustice, but it is something to be aware of when reading.
I still did really enjoy this read. It isn't my favourite of hers, but certainly an interesting collection that I would recommend.
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Rape, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
rachjy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Moderate: Violence, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
hollyrebecca's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Abortion, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Racism
nialiversuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Abandonment, Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
bvic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This collection was racist in places which marred the experience - memorably in the short stories ‘Passport Soup’ and ‘A Scent of Winter’.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Racism, Rape, Murder, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Grief, Child death, and Animal death
justmys's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Cursing, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
nrb2020's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship
shanngood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Minor: Murder, Death of parent, Rape, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Infidelity