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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
Although it took me a while to get used to the writing style and language used in the book, I was eventually completely drawn into it. The book touches upon so many interesting themes, such as culture, race, religion, family and sexuality. It is a beautiful story about resilience.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Talk about worth the hype. I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this epic. Good fiction by good authors forces what I call: extreme human empathy. There's probably a better word for it than what I'm using, but I digress—the influence of Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston. What I mean is, Alice Walker has been able to make the reader feel everything Cele is feeling. You feel her hurt, her confusion, her anger, her love, her growth, and her forgiveness. An aspect that the film versions leave out is the backstories and memories of a lot of the men, which leads to the overwhelming belief that this book hates men, and men are portrayed as evil. I now know that anyone who says that has based everything on the film versions and has never bothered to read the book. Walker is clearly stating that the systems of Jim Crow, white supremacy, and patriarchy affect everyone. I feel extreme empathy towrards Albert. In the book, you realize what led the men to be who they are. It's all a result of unhealed trauma.
I also understand Shug and Cele. I think calling them lesbians isn't accurate. The love between them is romantic, but much, much more. If anything (and a label isn't needed), they're queer. Shug is the first woman Cele knows who is free! That is happy and in control of her life! You truly understand that love is love when reading queer love stories.
I can say so much more, but I will leave it to the reader to discover.
I also understand Shug and Cele. I think calling them lesbians isn't accurate. The love between them is romantic, but much, much more. If anything (and a label isn't needed), they're queer. Shug is the first woman Cele knows who is free! That is happy and in control of her life! You truly understand that love is love when reading queer love stories.
I can say so much more, but I will leave it to the reader to discover.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another annual reread of the best book ever written some (I) may say
Beautiful beautiful beautiful beautiful. This book felt like a love song. Women without men.