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edca224's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder
earthie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think some of that is because I stopped near the end and spent the time contemplating what I wanted for the book ending, I suppose. I didn't know what would make me feel satisfied, which was good.
The book also stuck with me more than I expected it to. I've found myself referencing some of the prose just in my day-to-day life and thinking about it.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Sexism, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Child death, Sexual content, Stalking, and Hate crime
apiologee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Toxic friendship
anniebh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Racism, Eating disorder, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
an_spideog'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
Léigheas an ceann so réasúnta tapaidh, bhí na caibidlí cuíosach gearr agus bhí sé frist cúpla ceann a léamh agus sos a thógaint.
Chuir sé ag cuimhneamh mé ar na slite go mbímíd ag déanamh cloí le scéalta i gcónaí, tar éis eachtra tragóideach is maith linn scéal néata bheith ann, bíonn sé níos fusa dhúinn ná an fhírinne. Ní maith linn an doiléire agus an éiginnteacht.
Mar gheall ar dheireadh an scéil:
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide
lololizef's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship
notlikethebeer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I've seen some reviews that imply that what this book does is very basic. I think that's part of where the charm lies. It's about thinking - truly believing - that you Know Stuff, that you're Woke and Aware. And yet that still not being enough. Still finding it easier - or even inevitable - to fall into the patterns you think you're resisting.
Anyway. What really stood out to me - what will live forever rent-free in my head - were the sections where Bodie reflected on what else was going on in the world - when she was overhearing conversations at a party, when she turned on the news. To begin with, those sections confused me a bit, they came across as her not caring. But then I realised that that wasn't it: it was the fatigue, of a world where such stories are endless and everywhere. The way that Rebecca Makkai drew on real-world examples, to really reinforce the sheer volume and scope of violence against women. The way that all of the details blend into one. I get shivers just thinking about how incredibly powerful that was, how simple a technique yet how effective.
I also liked that, in terms of the sub-plot (regarding Bodie's ex-partner), there was no easy resolution. She felt certain ways, and she made mistakes, and there were no answers. I definitely couldn't give you the answers. I'm glad Makkai didn't try to.
The ending was a sick realisation: I genuinely felt my stomach plummet when I finally accepted that yes, that was where we were headed. It was handled so perfectly, yet was so awful, all wrapped up in one.
Easily one of my top books of this year, probably my top books of all time.
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship
theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Suicide attempt, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Child death, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Body shaming, Racism, Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
emma_sky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Death, Bullying, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Stalking, Sexual assault, and Drug use
emily_koopmann's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, and Misogyny