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seventhswan's review
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
0.75
This book honestly hurt to read. It gets one thing right - that disabled people, including people with intellectual disabilities and nonspeaking people, invariably have thoughts, feelings, and opinions that matter and shouldn't be discounted. If the story had consisted of Eugene learning to use another form of AAC, I'd have no issue with it - but Facilitated Communication is harmful pseudoscience. As soon as I realised that was where this story was going I was hugely put off.
Otherwise, the narrator, Mia, is insufferable, her brother and mother are two-dimensional, and there are so many random plot points that are mentioned once and are never relevant again. There is a totally inexplicable paragraph about the rape of children during war. The criminal justice system works the same way it does in Law and Order. The narrative voice felt very YA despite this being, as far as I can tell, intended as adult fiction.
I almost never leave a 1* review because it feels unkind and I don't usually finish books I seriously dislike. But after seeing this book promoted so heavily on Goodreads and elsewhere I felt I had to provide a different perspective.
Otherwise, the narrator, Mia, is insufferable, her brother and mother are two-dimensional, and there are so many random plot points that are mentioned once and are never relevant again. There is a totally inexplicable paragraph about the rape of children during war. The criminal justice system works the same way it does in Law and Order. The narrative voice felt very YA despite this being, as far as I can tell, intended as adult fiction.
I almost never leave a 1* review because it feels unkind and I don't usually finish books I seriously dislike. But after seeing this book promoted so heavily on Goodreads and elsewhere I felt I had to provide a different perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Racism
Minor: Rape
katiecentabar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A powerful story of what it means to be human and to be (mis)understood. Mia is a know-it-all who is so annoyingly 20 years old it was at times painful to read because I saw too much of myself in her, but she was a great narrator. This book is going to stick with me for a while, thinking about how we communicate and what it means to be happy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: War and Rape
yeaeun's review
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Death of parent, Violence, Death, Ableism, Xenophobia, and Hate crime
miranda_graham's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
I was really impressed with how emotional I got by this book, and by how much in-depth thinking it made me do regarding the ability to speak and how we communicate with others. Eugene has autism and Angelman syndrome, one condition I think nearly everybody is familiar with, but the other is one I had only heard of and was vaguely aware of. I think I did a lot of introspection on my own personal biases and assumptions based on how Mia narrated the book and included a lot of “scientific sprinklings,” if you will. If you want to think deeply about how we perceive our own happiness, the intellect of others, and how communication plays a role, I’d recommend. I probably will read this again and Kim’s other works.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
katrinarose's review
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
After reading the masterpiece Miracle Creek in 2022, this was my most anticipated book for 2023, and Angie Kim did not disappoint. She has such a skill for writing a mystery that has intrigue and suspense without neglecting great character development, prose, and interesting themes/discussion, which is a problem I have with most mystery books I read. While this book was never scary, the way the narration references things that come later (saying things like “if I only knew at that moment”) builds suspense very effectively.
I have to say my favorite part of this book are the characters, specifically the members of the family. Each one is so unique, and have such dynamic realistic relationships with each other. I love the flashbacks and asides that help us get to know them. Mia is probably the most realistic yet unique 20 year old character I’ve ever read about. So often adult authors seem to forget what young adults act like and Mia is a perfect blend of mature yet impulsive, intensely thoughtful yet still learning how to slow down and apply nuance, hard-headed yet soft. I can see how she may come across as annoying to some readers but I loved her personality. And her parents are given equal nuance which is often left out in young-adult narrated stories.
I don’t have any major complaints but I do think the mystery itself was the weaker part of the book, which doesn’t sound great but everything surrounding it is so well done that it didn’t matter to me. I’m so looking forward to anything else this author publishes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Ableism
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Rape, and Blood
iothemoon's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Gaslighting
ncoletti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Police brutality
rainbowfairie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have so much I want to write about this book. This is one of the best literary fiction novels I've read, packaged in an informative and digestible story. The author is very societally aware and presents a wealth of information to readers on various concepts that may very well be new to them. The author's note at the end references any real-life resources or info the reader may want to check out. Very science-y with vocab and concepts, so beware there will be lots of new language and it's not a light read. As an autistic person myself, who struggles with spoken communication, this was an enlightening and empowering read that touches on many important issues. I'd read it again in a heartbeat and appreciate Angie for writing this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Bullying, Terminal illness, and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Police brutality, Rape, and War
jkpiowa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Ableism
Minor: Rape
ukponge's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Ableism
Minor: Suicide