Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Small World by Laura Zigman

8 reviews

kizzy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death

Involves the institutionalization of a disabled child

ashp's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Child death

An excellent satire that’s also quirky with social commentary. There is use of the r-word to show its outdated use. I also liked that the story was set in Boston.

kateea7536's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

I loved the writing style of this book and was gripped and kept looking forward to going back to it, which is a good sign for me! I loved the Small World poetry, some of them were so moving and related so well to the story, it was a beautiful addition. I’ve never read anything like this before and the perspective on the experience of a disability as a sibling was really moving and interesting and heartbreaking in some places. I thought the characters were well developed but that you never got to know them fully, especially Lydia - although perhaps that was the point! The ending was very abrupt and I wanted to know more about how it ended for them, it felt a little rushed at times. The plot was very slow moving but in a good way, because the writing was so beautiful that I was just happy meandering through their lives and experiencing the flashbacks to their childhood. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Death

popsicleplease's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Chronic illness

sleeson's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

I’m surprised that the overall rating of this book is not higher. Maybe I relate to the emotions, pain and relationships the characters have more then others? My heart was aching for Joyce. Nothing too traumatic or graphic happens to her, but the way Zigman writes about her life experiences from past to present is identifiable. No sexual content. Mild swearing. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Chronic illness, and Child death

Minor: Cursing and Infidelity

itsme_lori's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death

kellyaraff's review against another edition

Very unlikeable characters and no real direction of storyline 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death

arireadsitall's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

3.25

The author writing this story with her personal connection in mind gave this book an extra layer of emotion. I loved Joyce and Lydia and their dis function and chaos. Add in quirky neighbors and a community board and this is quite the read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness

Minor: Child death