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caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Racism, Lesbophobia, Suicide, Abandonment, Death, Bullying, Racial slurs, Vomit, Child death, War, Gun violence, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, and Xenophobia
chrisljm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Also, just in case there is anyone else out there who will have a similar experience to me, THEY ARE NOT SPEAKING CANTONESE IN THIS BOOK, IT’S TOISANESE 😭 I was losing my mind because I know Cantonese but was unfamiliar with Toisanese, but I’ve since learned it’s because they’re used interchangeably and prior to the 1960s Toisanese was the dominant language spoken in Chinatowns.
Another thing, this part of the blurb was the reason why I decided to read this book, “A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories,” but it was so misleading.
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Sexism, Slavery, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Toxic relationship, Death, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Medical content
Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Grief, Forced institutionalization, War, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, Abandonment, Murder, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Classism, Bullying, Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Racial slurs, Self harm, and Colonisation
unboxedjack's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death, Medical trauma, Rape, Trafficking, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Terminal illness
leahvanert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
My brain kind of hurts after this one, but not in a bad way.
This novel spans 7 generations and centers around the theory of epigenetics (the study of inheriting trauma/memories/etc. through DNA). I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters and Ford's writing style is truly mesmerizing.
The science of it all and keeping track of where we were and who we were with in the timeline was a little over my head. The idea is fascinating, but I couldn't follow it completely.
Graphic: Racism and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
Minor: War