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jojo_'s review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Ableism, and Racism
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, and Homophobia
amandas_bookshelf's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Classism, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
⚠️ i recommend reading the story before Zadie Smith’s introduction.
the story itself was thought provoking, really no flaws, it just wasn’t the most engrossing thing i’ve ever read, but i want to talk about the introduction. at first i was reluctant to read it because i thought it would contain spoilers (it kinda did) and because it’s as long as the short story itself. but after finishing the story i needed some context and explanation, and the introduction came through (without offering some “definitive answer”). it was interesting and insightful and made me appreciate even more the ever-purposeful Toni Morrison (this is her only short story?!), and the excerpt from her speech listing the steps for a racist society really resonated with me. most of all, i enjoyed the new perspective it gave me on the story: the “somebody” in everybody, the value of racially-defined experiences, and the commonality we all share as humans. here’s my take, for what it’s worth: the point is that Twyla’s and Roberta’s respective races are not meant to be concluded (that much is obvious), but overtly interchangeable—not just that readers may interpret it either way, but they should interpret it both ways, in every scenario, and see how the meaning changes. very good
the story itself was thought provoking, really no flaws, it just wasn’t the most engrossing thing i’ve ever read, but i want to talk about the introduction. at first i was reluctant to read it because i thought it would contain spoilers (it kinda did) and because it’s as long as the short story itself. but after finishing the story i needed some context and explanation, and the introduction came through (without offering some “definitive answer”). it was interesting and insightful and made me appreciate even more the ever-purposeful Toni Morrison (this is her only short story?!), and the excerpt from her speech listing the steps for a racist society really resonated with me. most of all, i enjoyed the new perspective it gave me on the story: the “somebody” in everybody, the value of racially-defined experiences, and the commonality we all share as humans. here’s my take, for what it’s worth: the point is that Twyla’s and Roberta’s respective races are not meant to be concluded (that much is obvious), but overtly interchangeable—not just that readers may interpret it either way, but they should interpret it both ways, in every scenario, and see how the meaning changes. very good
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Death of parent
f-slur out of nowheresydneybedell's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
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