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elenareadz'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? No
4.0
An overrall amazing book, but at times it felt hard to follow and was disjointed based on the large group of characters and how the format of the book is written.
Highly recommend for everyone to read, but heed the content warnings.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Gun violence
wsmythe19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
milliemarilyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt and Pregnancy
nypho_maniac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Incest, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Grief, and Pedophilia
soozielyingcat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexism, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Rape, Physical abuse, Incest, and Domestic abuse
jaz_aiken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Miscarriage
seventhswan'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? It's complicated
3.5
Apart from that, though, the actual writing of the book was masterfully done and made for a compelling read despite being, genuinely, very little more than a group of women having an important conversation in a barn. I got a great sense of the different characters and their various motivations, and wanted nothing but good things for them. I want to know what happened next - as well as what happened to the real women the book is based on.
Although the premise of the book relies on horrific sexual violence (so I've marked it as graphic), I'm grateful that it didn't rely on vivid depictions of this for shock value. The few sentences alluding to the impact of the violence on different women and girls both got the point across and demonstrated its routine nature in the community. You don't need to know exact details of what happened to the women - after all, they don't themselves - and I appreciated Toews' focus on the aftermath without resorting to flashbacks and trauma porn.
I would recommend this book, in spite of my issues with the parts of it that focused on August. It felt like an important read.
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit, Death, Gun violence, and Incest
dreamreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse
lydsomtimesreads's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
kathryn_m_booth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Confinement, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault