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thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Racism
Minor: War
lexa's review against another edition
4.0
Coming of age in Vancouvers east side, Hogans Alley, in the 1930s.
Graphic: Racism, Alcoholism, and Homophobia
spinesinaline's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Thanks to ZG Stories for an ARC to review!
It’s as much a story about the history of Hogan's Alley as it is about family, particularly the mother-daughter relationships the blurb mentions, girlhood, and some beautiful explorations of art. It’s a deceptively quick read as the chapters are short and sweet (sometimes only three pages), each ending with a short snapshot that shifts into first person, offering us a more intimate view of the different characters’ inner feelings.
While I found the prose beautiful and the story heartfelt, I just wanted more! More delving into these characters and their individual stories and much more than the brief paragraphs we go exploring their wants and desires and needs. Still a beautiful book and I’ll certainly seek out more from this author.
It’s as much a story about the history of Hogan's Alley as it is about family, particularly the mother-daughter relationships the blurb mentions, girlhood, and some beautiful explorations of art. It’s a deceptively quick read as the chapters are short and sweet (sometimes only three pages), each ending with a short snapshot that shifts into first person, offering us a more intimate view of the different characters’ inner feelings.
While I found the prose beautiful and the story heartfelt, I just wanted more! More delving into these characters and their individual stories and much more than the brief paragraphs we go exploring their wants and desires and needs. Still a beautiful book and I’ll certainly seek out more from this author.
Graphic: Racism, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
planning2read's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, and Alcoholism
dancevera's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found myself enjoying the short chapters, and I especially loved how Knight brought a fictional version of Hogan's Alley to life in the 30s (the historically Black neighbourhood of Vancouver that was demolished in the early 1970s). The characters drew me in, and I was interested in the two mother/daughter dynamics that were the focal point, but the pacing often three me off, and I felt very unsatisfied with the ending. It wrapped up quickly and without much resolution for me.
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Alcoholism
howdoyouwords's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcoholism, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Racism
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