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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This is one of those books I’ll be thinking about forever. The characters and stories felt SO real, the author did an incredible job at making me feel like I knew these people in real life. I don’t think I’ve really read anything like it before. This is like the only book where I think the different POVs actually made the book better. Queer, nontraditional family dynamics against the rural Appalachian setting really did it for me. I’m ready to raise my baby on 20 acres now
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
love reading books about queer women that aren't about being queer. loved pearly's voice. wished that the ending had more oomph... but good all the same. gory and messy and unapologetic
Perleys POV was written so well which was wonderful and also devastating
This was a book unlike anything I'd ever read, and I loved it. Each character has such a unique voice, especially Perley, the son who wants to forge his own life and deals with the repercussions of joining society on a more mainstream level. Helen and Karen are so alike that they can't do anything but argue, and Lily wants nothing more than to be a good parent in the only ways she knows how.
Stay and Fight represents Ohio in a way I've never seen before, focusing on this found family through a separatist lens, through Marxist and feminist lenses, and more. Ffitch does an incredible job of describing what likely most of us have never experienced--roughing it, and I mean really roughing it for years, as though they were survivalists. They learn to homestead, to farm, to take care of the snakes. They argue, they fight, they love each other.
Each bit of this novel is so believable, especially the love Lily has for her son, especially CPS' actions, especially Karen's need to run away to come back. This is a novel filled to the brim with strong characters, in personality, voice, and tone. Ffitch has certainly created a modern-day masterpiece juxtaposing the need for truly simple living and the status quo of mainstream media-focused society.
Review cross-listed here!
Stay and Fight represents Ohio in a way I've never seen before, focusing on this found family through a separatist lens, through Marxist and feminist lenses, and more. Ffitch does an incredible job of describing what likely most of us have never experienced--roughing it, and I mean really roughing it for years, as though they were survivalists. They learn to homestead, to farm, to take care of the snakes. They argue, they fight, they love each other.
Each bit of this novel is so believable, especially the love Lily has for her son, especially CPS' actions, especially Karen's need to run away to come back. This is a novel filled to the brim with strong characters, in personality, voice, and tone. Ffitch has certainly created a modern-day masterpiece juxtaposing the need for truly simple living and the status quo of mainstream media-focused society.
Review cross-listed here!
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Now among the ranks of favourite for all times, Stay and Fight. A Protest.
A life side by side. Chapters trailing each three women and child as they endure days as flawed as each-other, in a system opposing their frugal and intentional life and the burdens or joys that may be.
In this original telling, Ffitch reframes the possibilities of love with such ingenuity that can have only been lived out. There is to report a sharp aim, in wit and with purpose. Calling to her own.
Finishing the novel, my heart climbed up out of my chest into my throat and through the mouth, deserted. That is to say I am changed by my awe.
A life side by side. Chapters trailing each three women and child as they endure days as flawed as each-other, in a system opposing their frugal and intentional life and the burdens or joys that may be.
In this original telling, Ffitch reframes the possibilities of love with such ingenuity that can have only been lived out. There is to report a sharp aim, in wit and with purpose. Calling to her own.
Finishing the novel, my heart climbed up out of my chest into my throat and through the mouth, deserted. That is to say I am changed by my awe.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was so interesting! I really loved the plot and the characters and the propulsion of this novel, however, the execution was extremely lacking. The first 5 chapters or so, were extremely difficult to get through just because of the writing style (said was reiterated A LOT). By the end, I was in tears.
This reminded me of Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, but significantly 'lighter' in tone and depth.
This reminded me of Betty by Tiffany McDaniel, but significantly 'lighter' in tone and depth.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
wow. i learned and reflected and i’m still thinking about it all! devoured it in 2 plane rides