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danimacuk'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
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Dementia, Gun violence, Death, Homophobia, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Confinement, and Cursing
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
delta1juliet's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit, Alcohol, Murder, and Genocide
Minor: Sexual content, Abortion, and War
paigereitz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Violence, and Torture
amberrenfrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, Sexual content, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Police brutality, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Transphobia, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Death, Abortion, Biphobia, and Domestic abuse
kazik'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? No
2.75
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Misogyny, and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Vomit, and Gun violence
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