Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

40 reviews

lexa's review against another edition

emotional funny relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I found this 1970s coming of age story super charming. Nothing really happens in the story, but the way it tackles some heavier issues like antisemitism, racism, marriage, addiction, sexuality, as told from the perspective of the sheltered 14 year old nanny who is finding herself was unique and captivating. Would be a great beach read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Antisemitism, Drug use, and Racism

Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Vomit

kerrygetsliterary's review

fast-paced

• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Body shaming, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Sexual content

Minor: Vomit

mommarex1221's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Antisemitism, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Alcohol, Cancer, Classism, Cursing, and Drug abuse

boiler_bookworm's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Infidelity

kaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• 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

I can see how some readers of this book will not enjoy, or approve of, the kinds of situations the young characters (one 14, the other 5) are exposed to in this book. However, given the context of both the time period and the characters, I believe these scenes make sense and that the young narrator handles them well. Also, this is a work of fiction, so I think the author is allowed to include some shocking material, as one of her main characters is a 1970's-era rockstar in addiction recovery. (These scenes do include swearing, one brief sexual encounter, and a major fight between two adults involving a lot of broken dishes.) It just may be too shocking for your taste, and that's okay. Know thyself.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Drug use, and Antisemitism

Minor: Alcohol

The racist and antisemitic comments are a result of the historical context (the story is set in 1975). The narrator's parents, who are white and upper-class, make general statements reflecting widely held beliefs about Black, Latinx, and Jewish people by those who sought to differentiate themselves from anyone who was not a WASP. The young narrator is able to tell that these statements are harmful, and does discuss that with her parents to an extent. The comments about the Jewish community are particularly uncomfortable, so proceed accordingly.

trulydevious's review

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Racism, and Addiction

Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, and Sexual content

Minor: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Racial slurs

kimveach's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this delightful coming-of-age story set in the 1970s.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Drug abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Addiction, and Classism

Minor: Eating disorder

quietcoastline's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved the writing, loved the setting, loved, loved, loved the characters. This book immediately and completely sucked me into their little summer even though it’s snowing outside. I miss them all already.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Alcohol

scrambled_meggs's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-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

5.0

To say I loved this book would be an understatement. To date this is one of my favorite coming of age novels I have ever read. I found myself absolutely engrossed in the story and the characters. Mary Jane lived the summer most 14 year olds wish they could and I found it to not only be a nostalgic but inspiring read. Definitely one I will read again! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Antisemitism and Drug use

Minor: Eating disorder and Infidelity

jordanc810's review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was still really great. With all of the talk and comparison to Daisy Jones and the Six, I thought that this was going to cover the main character's rise to fame, and it didn't. The book only takes place over the course of one summer, where the main character goes through a lot of changes and is exposed to a lot of different ideas. This book was thoroughly enjoyable, even if my heart hurt for the main character at some points. I LOVED that this book was based in Baltimore, it's probably one of my favorite things. And not just "in the suburbs of Baltimore" specifically Roland Park and they talk about how going into a different neighborhood is frowned upon by those who live there. Ultimately, this book wasn't what I expected, and I would have liked to know where Mary Jane ends up, but I respect that some authors decide it's not what they want to write, and they want to let the reader imagine how Mary Jane lives beyond the pages of the book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Cursing