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voldycat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Classism and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Drug use, Pregnancy, Racism, and Kidnapping
theuncannydani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Colonisation, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Racism, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Classism, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Incest, Violence, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Drug use, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Car accident, Cursing, Sexual violence, Medical content, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Stalking
Minor: Stalking, Grief, Fatphobia, and Drug abuse
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Classism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Racism, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
pastellymoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, and Bullying
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Homophobia
elsea_readingelsea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexism, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Ableism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
esme_t's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Racial slurs
avasbookmark'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
3.5
I did enjoy this book for its glamorous exploration of the lives of the Chinese upper-class through the eyes of a newcomer, its vivid descriptions of food and decor, and sense of humor.
What I did not love was that none of the characters had much depth. I had a hard time understanding Rachel and Nick as they are both fairly one-dimensional and their relationship does not seem to be built on a solid foundation of trust. Although this was purposeful at first, I don’t think the relationship developed much and the character development itself was lacking, too.
I think the real meat of the story got lost under dazzling descriptions and the constant introduction of new secondary and tertiary characters.
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Racism
parasolcrafter'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
laurajordensharris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Classism, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Having watched the film before reading the book, it was more noticeable where things had been rewritten or left out for the movie. I liked the book more though as you got a better understanding of who the characters are and why they behave certain ways. And of course, the missing scenes that were left out of the movie.
My favourite character was Astrid - I really rooted for her all the way through! With the way that everyone else in the family behaved, she came across as the only ‘normal’ person.
Eddie and Eleanor were the worst!! There was no actual need for their attitude - i’m glad their storylines worked out the way that they did!
I’m so looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Racial slurs