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bookish_sabrina's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I find it interesting that this novel is written in first-person present tense. It gives the prose a lot of momentum, particularly in Leilani's long sentences. They start off innocuous and then suddenly slam you into bitter truths about Edie's past, as well as observations and critiques on society, with a particular focus on racism and misogyny. This novel is propulsive. It is a quick read despite how uncomfortable and upsetting some of the subject matter and scenes are. The present perspective also gives us great insight into Edie, and how she is unable to see herself in the future and is unwilling to dwell too much on her past.
There's no question that Leilani is an excellent writer. I found her characters to be well-rounded. It is funny and insightful. However, I don't think it is perfect. Sometimes, debut novels burst at their seams a bit; it feels like the author is trying to put too many ideas into one book. I think this is the case with Luster. I also found that some of her struggles felt a little too on the nose. I'm specifically thinking about Edie's interview at the clown college and her inability to properly paint a satisfactory self-portrait.
I'm glad I finally read this hyped novel. I didn't love it as much as some, but I also acknowledge that this book wasn't written for me, and I'm glad that others are loving it so much.
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Racism
Minor: Animal death, Death, Grief, Infertility, and Police brutality
honeybeatslibrary's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Racism
leahrosereads's review against another edition
- 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: Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Miscarriage, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Medical content
kflv's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Animal death