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nicoleisalwaysreading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.25
written in vignettes, spaced in a way that mirrors memories, I suppose. not linked in an obvious way other than the way life strings events along like pearls.
inherently gross, in all the meanings of that word: very obviously wrong, very unpleasant, repulsive. there is life and decay/hurt and joy wound up together tightly in this novel. it’s written poignantly and pays attention to details in a special way.
Ruthie is sharpened by the sharp world around here. a difficult read with explicit and implicit descriptions of sexual abuse - both sinister and destructive to Ruthie and her friends and family. anything about her mother made me extremely uncomfortable, almost to the point of giving up on this book.
inherently gross, in all the meanings of that word: very obviously wrong, very unpleasant, repulsive. there is life and decay/hurt and joy wound up together tightly in this novel. it’s written poignantly and pays attention to details in a special way.
Ruthie is sharpened by the sharp world around here. a difficult read with explicit and implicit descriptions of sexual abuse - both sinister and destructive to Ruthie and her friends and family. anything about her mother made me extremely uncomfortable, almost to the point of giving up on this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Bullying, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abortion
ktrain3900's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
What a strange book (and I like strange) but also so depressing I felt it was negatively affecting my mood. Every woman and girl had at least one trauma which made this lovely sparse prose and intriguing story so hard to read. I couldn't follow how the family could be poor enough to only afford the cheapest clothes and do so much shopping at the dump, yet they're buying a huge rich person's home (and no a death in the house doesn't depreciate value that much) nor did the year 1985, mentioned once, seem to fit the time (at least not when the story moved forward in time). My favorite part was when Ruthie imagined Winifred's life. I'm left feeling a bit empty, or at least grateful it ended when it did.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Incest, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Bullying, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
zwin's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Body shaming, Child abuse, Bullying, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, and Sexual violence
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