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csmoke85's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Suicide attempt
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The plot feels like quite a slow burn; it's certainly not an action packed storyline, but even within the fairly domestic setting there is something about the way this is written that keeps you engaged. In my opinion, it's actually the stories of the main character's oldest and youngest child that really cry out to you as a reader; seeing a teenage boy influenced into 'drinking the Kool-Aid', not just through peer pressure but through educational indoctrination and media bias feels so real and relatable, particularly considering the issues the US are currently experiencing. And the instinct to scream at the unfairness of a little girl suffering a nightmare and not being able to call out for her mummy then celebrating when she wins an award for saying the fewest words in a day... it's heartbreaking.
The book reads like the author looks at those of a religious persuasion and is genuinely perplexed at how their beliefs lead to such fanatical behaviour. Now, clearly that is not reflective of every person of faith, but the author has done a very good job at illustrate the 'extreme' end of Christian conservatism in the US (at least, it's recognisable from a Brit's POV!) It's also a great social commentary on the importance of using your voice when you can; vote when you have the opportunity, stand up for your rights and the rights of others and take an interest in current affairs, politics and the world around you so you can try to make a difference, rather than getting stuck in a situation you don't like without ever having said a word.
This book is very much the author writing ehat she knows; her accreditation as a neurolinguist is stated in the 'About the Author' section. While it does make for interesting reading, at the same time her knowledge does shine through in the use of technical jargon and other elements. As it is quite a niche field of interest, it does make the book a little hard to follow in places and a little 'mad scientist-y' in the resolution. But overall it's still a very readable and understandable book.
I was also slightly disappointed by the ending. I appreciate that the story is told from one character's perspective, but that does mean that the denouement isn't witnessed firsthand and so the key scene is actually just referred to in a vague conversation between two characters. After that slow build, it would have been nice to see the outcome firsthand .
Pleasantly surprised by this!
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Homophobia, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Death, Animal death, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Blood
sanikaaa___'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Medical content, and Sexism
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Abortion and Infidelity
beau_03's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Pregnancy, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Blood and Vomit
ilo_the_duck's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Medical content, Infidelity, Gun violence, Homophobia, Police brutality, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual content
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Self harm, Blood, Gun violence, Medical content, and Murder
whatsophsreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Grief, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
sadiaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Interesting oremise - reminiscent of the handmaids tale
Loved the short chapters
Was fast paced, read it in a day
Cons
Second half of the book was lacking, not sure I understood the ending
Also I know this is based on jeans story, but I would've liked to have known more about Patrick, his perspective
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Blood
serinalovesreading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Torture, Homophobia, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Child abuse
nila's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Torture, Homophobia, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Terminal illness, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Slavery, Sexual content, Self harm, Pregnancy, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit