Scan barcode
jwells's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
The tvtropes.com entry for this book describes it as "ridiculously detailed" which amused me. I suppose the person who added that was thinking of passages such as Tateh's train trip. The writing was closely linked to Tateh's state of mind, not thinking ahead as "Tateh took a series of trains until he got to Boston" might indicate, but staying in the moment as he took each one as far as it went, getting out where he had to, only then deciding what to do next. All of the writing in this book is very closely reflective of the character's state of mind in the moment, even though we don't get a lot of interior voice, like you would with a closer POV. The details are purposeful, I guess is what I'm saying (whether or not they are ridiculous). It's a way to get to know all of these characters without it feeling like disorienting head hopping, as it might if we were in close POV with one character, then another, then another.
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
A baby is abandoned but rescued. Use of the n-word. Racist characters being assholes.asililydying's review against another edition
what the fuck is wrong with you
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Suicide
dashboardlights24601's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Hate crime, and Gun violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Violence, Sexual content, Colonisation, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship
ladydisdain's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Xenophobia
This is a book written in the 1970s about the relationship between affluent white families, poor black families, and Jewish immigrant families in the early 1900s. Whatever level of slurs and casual racism, anti-semitism, zenophobia, and sexism you are currently expecting is correct. It is also centered on an act of police brutality and the public response to an innocent black person's death. Unfortunately, Doctorow can now be considered ahead of his time in his handling of this subject as the mirror to current/recent instances of police brutality is polished bright. This book has as much potential to be intensely triggering as to be cathartic- if you're the kind of person who looks to fiction to get away from headlines, this book awaits a brighter world.