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jennazim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Terminal illness
jodar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The novel explores the themes of religion versus superstition, religion versus reason, friendship and love, the role of women in society and child-adult relationships. I particularly appreciated the author’s knowledgeable and nuanced portrayal of Christian life and its tensions, avoiding any of the silly stereotyping that seems to crop up so often in recent UK novels.
The characters all felt real to me: We see both their capabilities and their flaws; so too their as-often-as-not troubled relationships, in which people can care deeply for each other and yet differ strongly in their opinions and outlook on life.
Many things of heart and mind to ponder on.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity and Suicide attempt
beccaand's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Medical content, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Death
cephalopodbot'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
4.5
Graphic: Medical content, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse
raoulalexander's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Medical content and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Classism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Ableism and Animal death
tetedump's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Classism, Death, Ableism, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
heuteschongekurtet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Medical content, Domestic abuse, Death, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Blood, Vomit, Classism, Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Animal death
pines_and_needles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
bethy_97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Domestic abuse
darumachan'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
4.5
Another thing that I enjoyed about this is that it read as including subtle but solidly affirming representation of LGBTQIA+ identities, disability, and neurodiversity. While i wouldn't say that there is direct or overt engagement with these identities, there were several characters who clearly identified as "queer" in the sense of being out of step with mainstream social expectations of the time. What was so lovely about these characters is that they found one another and formed an inclusive community in which they could live and be supported and loved not just in spite of, but because of the traits that made them "quirky" or "misfits" in other contexts. Things i noticed included possible autism spectrum, lesbian, gay, asexual, aromamtic, and polyamory. But again, nothing overtly identified, which only read as more authentic to the setting.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse