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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Slow and meandering. I actually really liked the back-and-forth and the slice-of-life style to the writing. I liked Ninny and Ethel’s relationship.
Oh but the diet culture. And the massive, massive racism and colorism.
My comment from 57%: Ah dang, it’s happening. I don’t like this book! I liked the writing style up until now. It felt cozy and low stakes and just very ‘slice of life’. Yes, the racism was there, but good grief that has really ramped up the last few chapters. And Towanda the Avenger….????? Ugh.
‘Blowing up the entire Middle East to prevent a third world war’??????
—-
Also, like some others have written: this really romanticizes the 1920’s and small towns in general. But they had it awfully hard. And they were not some oasis from racism. Clearly. Also, wtf about racism being gone in the 80’s?????
Oh but the diet culture. And the massive, massive racism and colorism.
My comment from 57%: Ah dang, it’s happening. I don’t like this book! I liked the writing style up until now. It felt cozy and low stakes and just very ‘slice of life’. Yes, the racism was there, but good grief that has really ramped up the last few chapters. And Towanda the Avenger….????? Ugh.
‘Blowing up the entire Middle East to prevent a third world war’??????
—-
Also, like some others have written: this really romanticizes the 1920’s and small towns in general. But they had it awfully hard. And they were not some oasis from racism. Clearly. Also, wtf about racism being gone in the 80’s?????
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
Simply adored this book- so many wonderful characters each with an intricate story. I couldn’t put it down!
i have complicated feelings about this book. love the overt lesbianism, especially since this is an older book. it also has a nice southern charm and some enchanting characters. but it’s racist beyond what i expected. what i mean to say is that while there are racist characters that you’re meant to dislike, there are also protagonists who exhibit similar traits. so basically everyone in the book is racist but to different degrees and in different ways. kind of like in to kill a mockingbird how even though your protagonists are better than the literal Klan members, they still treat the black people around them poorly (in every time period in the book), but you’re meant to like them anyway. also i love the weaving of several different storylines and time periods. i find that compelling in a book. oh also the book goes back and forth on fatphobia and whether you need to be thin to be happy, ultimately landing on “well, yes!” unfortunately. also a few instances of the r word, which i think may have just been the “correct” term to many folks back in the day, but still jarring.
TLDR: mostly racist, but a compelling lesbian love story when they’re not being racist; fatphobia and some ableism.
TLDR: mostly racist, but a compelling lesbian love story when they’re not being racist; fatphobia and some ableism.
fast-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Non-linear story telling is my jam🤘
My brain struggled to hold the idea that the story was set in a historically accurate jim crow south, but didn’t acknowledge the obvious (in my opinion) wlw relationship for what it was.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Violence
This book was so sweet and compelling! Even when the character's got on my nerves (like Evelyn Couch) I stilled ended up invested in them and likely them in the end.