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shimmery's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts out strong and ends strong too. What I liked about it was how well the author captures difficult family dynamics and the relationship between Lucy and her father. I don't think I've ever read anything that portrays the full and painful journey of having an absent or unreliable father in childhood to that father than becoming vulnerable and a responsibility in later life as Andrews shows so well here. It is refreshing to read a coming of age story that shows what coming of age is like for a girl in a northern city from a working class background.
Unfortunately it is let down slightly by a tendency towards the cliche and purple prose (which the main character is accused of and which is certainly present here). 'Leaving red Rimmel kisses on the ends of Marlboro lights.' That sort of thing. I felt like leather jackets and cigarettes were included and painstakingly described in every scene.
While the writing style wasn't for me, I still thought it was a worthwhile book with the good outweighing the bad.
Unfortunately it is let down slightly by a tendency towards the cliche and purple prose (which the main character is accused of and which is certainly present here). 'Leaving red Rimmel kisses on the ends of Marlboro lights.' That sort of thing. I felt like leather jackets and cigarettes were included and painstakingly described in every scene.
While the writing style wasn't for me, I still thought it was a worthwhile book with the good outweighing the bad.
jessica365's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
keri_mccafferty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emselilly's review against another edition
5.0
I tried to put postits on all my favourite quotes and literally ran out of postits.
This is beautiful and therapeutic and gave me solace.
And so amazing to see such positive representations of working class culture and super beautiful and personal depiction of social class mobility
This is beautiful and therapeutic and gave me solace.
And so amazing to see such positive representations of working class culture and super beautiful and personal depiction of social class mobility
abigailcomptonxox's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fionacummings64's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
kafroula's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
natalie_rosemary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5