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crazybookworm31'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? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
nrchambers'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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Sexism, and Homophobia
llamallama527's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Xenophobia
Minor: Deportation and Miscarriage
wiktoria_bojda'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
ineffablecrows'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Outing, Deportation, and Alcohol
ko_rax'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
4.0
I must say, out of personal preference, that I liked the second half much more than the first.
The first half of the novel allows for the reader to explore family backgrounds and to accustom not only to the underlying racism, but also to the harsh homophobic tone of the 50s. Since my personal reality strays away from Lily's just far enough to forget the amount of privilege I enjoy (queer-friendly surroundings devoid of youthful peer pressure), I had a hard time staying focused whenever Lily described her day-to-day among peers at and outside of high school. However, the insights on Chinese culture in an immigrant family were pleasant. I really liked how well (racial) belonging was depicted.
Rather fond of fast-paced stories, it is no wonder then, that I enjoyed the quicker developments in the second half following Lily's
Careful to those who have rather traumatic experiences with
Graphic: Alcohol, Racial slurs, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Miscarriage and War
literary_waffle'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
4.5
• Having a main character who is exploring her sexualit and sexual expression as well as a love interest who is a masculine presenting lesbian and other character who are also butches and femmes is very powerful
• The author knew who her target audience was and the effort and research put into this books about Chinese and queer history is something to be appreciated
Did not like
• The flashbacks, even thought I understand why they are necessary (I get it it gives me information about relationship dynamics and the history of Lily's family) I felt like, as a reader, they were just kinda boring and I was always hoping to get through them so I could get to the interesting story
• It has a lot of triggers, especially for someone queer or who is a minority
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Abandonment, and Deportation
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Xenophobia, and Outing
schlady's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Sexism
stachmou'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? It's complicated
5.0
It really offers a good morale at the end.
Graphic: Racism, Alcohol, Xenophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting
Minor: War
brethebookbean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Moderate: Outing and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Miscarriage