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lidia7's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Classism, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Homophobia
takarakei's review against another edition
reflective
fast-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
Really enjoyed listening to Zadie Smith's accompanying analysis of the only short story Toni Morrison wrote, which she posits makes this story even more significant. This one is really a thinker.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Ableism
Moderate: Abandonment and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
fatfrog's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Abandonment
emmaopaline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Violence
inirac's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I enjoyed the forward by Zadie Smith as much as I enjoyed the story. I wish I'd listened to the story before the forward, but having an understanding of the context made it a satisfying read as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Abandonment
Moderate: Racism and Forced institutionalization
robinks's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
When I first heard about the concept of this short story, I was so intrigued. Now having read it, it really made me think about race and class and growing up. I wish the introduction was an afterword, as it contained many spoilers of the content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, and Bullying
Moderate: Classism, Abandonment, and Violence
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Homophobia
freckled_frog_boi's review against another edition
reflective
Definitely a book to read twice (if only to switch who's who)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Abandonment
mx_sunshine's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
4.0
This was very interesting. I’ll definitely be reading more from Toni Morrison. I love her writing style.
My favourite part was about the signs. Very tense. I’ve never read such an open ended story.
Zadie Smith’s introduction was very insightful but it unfortunately shaped my thoughts on the story before I had a chance to read it.
My favourite part was about the signs. Very tense. I’ve never read such an open ended story.
Zadie Smith’s introduction was very insightful but it unfortunately shaped my thoughts on the story before I had a chance to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Racism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Homophobia, Drug use, and Death of parent
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
An intriguing read, and a nice introduction to Toni Morrison, which actually made me interested to read more by her for the first time.
Note: I skipped the introduction and read it after the story, and I'm glad I did, as it really would have spoiled the story and my getting to experience it for the first time as a story.
Note: I skipped the introduction and read it after the story, and I'm glad I did, as it really would have spoiled the story and my getting to experience it for the first time as a story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Racism
Minor: Sexual content
orangeoverload's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a tale of race, memory and friendship. But the twist? Which woman is black and which woman is white.
At points, I thought that I had it figured out; only for their races to switch after a certain piece of dialogue. And what are these decisions to switch based on. Facts? Stereotypes? My own biases and what I think to be back and white? It was fascinating.
Zadie Smiths introduction was a great read too, though I would read it after reading the main story, and it spoils it massively.
At points, I thought that I had it figured out; only for their races to switch after a certain piece of dialogue. And what are these decisions to switch based on. Facts? Stereotypes? My own biases and what I think to be back and white? It was fascinating.
Zadie Smiths introduction was a great read too, though I would read it after reading the main story, and it spoils it massively.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Classism, Bullying, and Ableism