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imds's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Abandonment, Classism, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Abortion
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
So the first time I tried to read this, I set it down because I was not in the headspace for such an intricately deep character-driven narrative. My brain was not computing, so I decided to come back to it one day lol. That day has come! And I'm really glad I revisited this, and this time via audiobook! That was a much better experience for me to fully get into the voice and narrative!
This book centers around Elspeth aka Betty, who was born, died, and came back to life (as a baby) with cobalt blue skin (which is reminiscent of the blue soap her family used to make when they lived in Palestine). She visits her great-aunt Nuha's grave, reads journals, revisits familial lore that mostly was passed down to her orally, and contemplates a big life decision, regarding moving out of the U.S. The novel is told in second-person POV, which I adore and think is done so well here.
Though some parts were absolutely slower and felt as if they dragged on a bit more than others (I am just so predictable; the middle of the book always seems to be a slog for me?! It's me, I'm the problem, it's me), I still felt grateful and humbled to hear about Betty and her relationships to notable women in her family (mom, grandma, great aunt), and how they navigated challenges, such as terminal illness, exile, queerness, mental health, anti-Arab sentiments in the U.S., and more.
Check content warnings below & take care while reading.
Free Palestine <3
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Mental illness, War, and Genocide
Moderate: Bullying, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, and Cancer
thisiscourt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Colonisation, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Cancer, Dementia, and Homophobia
moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Child death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Cancer and Infidelity
Interrogation and gaslighting by soldiershannah_and_her_stories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, Violence, Xenophobia, War, Grief, Homophobia, and Bullying
Minor: Infidelity, Deportation, Incest, Death of parent, Cancer, Excrement, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, and Colonisation