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erintypegirl'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
4.75
At first I thought there would be no way I’d be interested in the subject matter. But the story it told with such lightness and hope. It really is a beautiful piece of work. One of my favourite reads of the year.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse
bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition
3.25
For me though it is overwritten, overwrought, and overlong. Eli's voice does not evolve as he ages, and there were many extended passages where I questioned why this was happening (some people say it's all tied together at the end but I disagree). The climax at city hall was bizarre. Dalton is picking up and putting down little metaphors and motifs all over the place. Thankfully too long and violent to be taught in highschools.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
atringas'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
4.0
The book truly reads almost more like a number of smaller novels together as it chronicles the life of Eli Bell, and is mostly stronger for it.
Graphic: Confinement, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
Moderate: Xenophobia, Torture, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
100percent_ballerina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Drug abuse
donaldleitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
camoo3032's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
This provides the backdrop of a story that is far-fetched with descriptive writing that is quite abstract. I am sure there are people out there that would love this book but I found it was trying to be more profound than it actually is.
I also found that the female characters weren't as fully formed or complex as the male ones which is frustrating.
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Ableism, Addiction, Cursing, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Excrement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Vomit, Rape, Torture, Violence, Sexism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Gore, and Sexual assault
56bumblebees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Excrement, and Ableism
mel_s_bookshelf's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Violence, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
kirstym25'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
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
meganjeg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts