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liolucia'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Sexual assault, Cancer, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
soph1768's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity
crodgers90'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death
frp123's review against another edition
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
casbee's review against another edition
the plot is uninteresting, the characters are insufferable, the content is disgusting, and the lack of quotation marks makes it all the worse.
personally i don't think you can throw trauma and sex and no quotation marks together and call it a masterpiece.
i cant remember anything from the story and nothing about the book was good.
dreadful experience; never again; no. i wouldnt recommend this book to my worst enemy.
Graphic: Incest, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Medical trauma, Violence, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Bullying
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Infidelity
leahnott's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Bullying, Pedophilia, and Rape
dashes101's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
As an experience: this book is maybe a 3.5 star read. Its difficult and challenging with very, very few hopeful moments. The relationship between the main character and her brother (to me) felt underdeveloped in their youth and hence the end of the book didn't have the same impact as I felt it could have had. The ending however, is beautifully written, and I really did enjoy it. I also understand the different themes the book juggled (sexuality, coming of age, and religion) but I felt like there was a lot happening all the time that wasn't really developed (?). Things just happened with no real need or reason, which is very fair because that's how life is! But it led it to be a little bland at times. I also understand the reasoning for the main character's sexuality 'growth' (not the right word) but it was extremely uncomfortable to read about.
As a piece of literature: probably 4 / 4.5 stars. I love how unique and aggressive the style is -- it draws you in and persuades you to keep reading. It's almost as if the writing is another character that improves the characters in the novel. I also commend McBride for sticking through and getting this book published after 9 years of rejections. It's definitely worth a read (IF you look through the warnings first and are in a good head space) but don't expect an easy read.
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Suicide, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol
yolkdevil's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Incest, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
kittyshep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Incest, Rape, and Child abuse
bumble_abi'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Excrement and Ableism