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thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
fleabag_reader95's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
4.75
The motifs of nature and culture were woven really beautifully throughout this story. Gut wrenching writing about racism, classism and what it is to be a girl/woman and the adversities and violence they face. A magnificent coming-of-age story with superb writing and character.
I have seen other people say that the book comes across as pretentious and unlike things a young girl would say. However, I would politely disagree with this. I feel that discredits the emotional intelligence and intellect that children can have, although they are young. The wisdom that Betty expresses throughout the novel perfectly mirrors the wisdom of which her father bestowed upon her.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death and Classism
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Gun violence, and Pregnancy
jazminrice's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
floppyleaves's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Alcohol
helloitsjulz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
zaracampbell's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Grappled with some very dark themes with authenticity and honesty. A testament to the raw and inherent strength of women, even more so in a time period that discredited their power.
I never wanted this book to end. It was one of those books where you want to highlight everything and commit it to memory so you never let the words leave you.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
molliundera_'s review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
savvylit'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
What I didn't like: everything else. This book is incredibly long and yet it is nothing more than a catalog of suffering. Trauma porn, if you will. There is very little plot or characterization that isn't directly connected to something traumatic or awful happening to Betty or one of her family members. Just when it seemed like a character was finally becoming more than two-dimensional, they often (spoilers!!) died instead.
Oddly, even though Betty is clearly the focus of this book that's named after her, she also remained an enigma with a sad lack of characterization. Her purpose in this novel ultimately just seemed to be to suffer and bear witness to the incredible trauma of the rest of her family.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
eaird's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse