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brittanyisbooked's review
challenging
hopeful
tense
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
3.75
This book was excellent story telling. Lowe did a great job bringing characters to life and narrating Southern fiction. This book made me interested in reading her other works
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
wildroseoftexas's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
This was a beautiful book. The emotions and struggles portrayed when one has a family member with severe mental illness was written so well.
I took a star down because the blurb makes it seem like the main storyline would be the love interest and it’s not. Honestly, the love interest storyline felt almost filler and not explained well early on. It could’ve easily been left out and just left the full focus on the family. I would immediately move this to a 5 star rating.
I took a star down because the blurb makes it seem like the main storyline would be the love interest and it’s not. Honestly, the love interest storyline felt almost filler and not explained well early on. It could’ve easily been left out and just left the full focus on the family. I would immediately move this to a 5 star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
meb1073's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow, there was a lot to unpack with this story....
I liked the writing style and general plot of the book a lot. I think the way several important themes were included and discussed was well done. I particularly LOVED the way that the father's mental illness was portrayed-the author did a fantastic job with that.
There were some parts that could have done more with being shown, rather than being explained. For example, the moments with Miss Wise were interesting, but I think it would've been even more captivating had it not been explained word for word. I also did not at times understand the relationship she had with Vance-given that he's the mayor's son, it almost seemed too...easy? And she practically put up a fight just to be in a relationship with him, despite her saying she's always wanted him. But perhaps this was meant to show some of the emotional complexities of being young and in high school, who knows. It was a bit of a corny Romeo and Juliet take, but that didn't particularly bother me in this instance.
A great book and I would for sure read others by this author.
I liked the writing style and general plot of the book a lot. I think the way several important themes were included and discussed was well done. I particularly LOVED the way that the father's mental illness was portrayed-the author did a fantastic job with that.
There were some parts that could have done more with being shown, rather than being explained. For example, the moments with Miss Wise were interesting, but I think it would've been even more captivating had it not been explained word for word. I also did not at times understand the relationship she had with Vance-given that he's the mayor's son, it almost seemed too...easy? And she practically put up a fight just to be in a relationship with him, despite her saying she's always wanted him. But perhaps this was meant to show some of the emotional complexities of being young and in high school, who knows. It was a bit of a corny Romeo and Juliet take, but that didn't particularly bother me in this instance.
A great book and I would for sure read others by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Violence
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When Austin is 14 years old her mother dies in childbirth. With six younger siblings and a father who sometimes falls victim to his own personal darkness, it's Austin who has to become the adult in the house. The family tobacco farm also needs tending and she's not sure how long she will be able to keep up. But when help is offered Austin is still reluctant to accept it, because it will mean the truth she's been working so hard to hide will be revealed.
I've been wanting to read this book since it was released in Swedish and I first heard about it. When it was my time to choose a book for my book club I took my chance! It's been compared to "Where the Crawdads Sing", and although there are differences, there are also similarities, and I believe if you liked the former you will like this as well.
"Under the Magnolias" is a gripping childhood upbringing about losing both your parents: one suddenly and unexpectedly in childbirth and the other slowly in mental illness. But we also get sibling love, friendship and tentative love. Wonderful side characters who make a lasting impression. How hard it can be to ask for help, but also how much easier life can become if you dare to accept it.
The book is set in the American south during the 80's, and perfectly narrated by Susan Bennett. The author describes the environment in a way that makes you BE there, with the characters. She makes you feel with and for the characters, and it's an emotional book in many ways. I really look forward to discussing the book with my book club next week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
cassiereadsbooks_'s review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Death of parent, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
craftyanty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
This book was simultaneously simple and complex. It's a coming-of-age story, but it's so much more than that.
The story follows Austin Foster through her teens and twenties as she grows up on a tobacco farm caring for and protecting her younger siblings after her mother's death. Her father, the local pastor, secretly struggles with mental illness, and Austin becomes his caretaker and protector as well. As time goes by, the cracks caused by the family's trauma begin to become undeniable as Austin and her siblings struggle to thrive.
The story follows Austin Foster through her teens and twenties as she grows up on a tobacco farm caring for and protecting her younger siblings after her mother's death. Her father, the local pastor, secretly struggles with mental illness, and Austin becomes his caretaker and protector as well. As time goes by, the cracks caused by the family's trauma begin to become undeniable as Austin and her siblings struggle to thrive.
When I started this book, I was immediately invested in the main character, but it didn't take long to realize there wasn't one character I wasn't invested in, and when I wasn't listening to this audiobook, I couldn't wait to get back to it.
Sadly, there was one small thing that annoyed me about this book. It was very easily overlooked and didn't affect the story at all, but I still feel the need to get it off of my chest. The author threw in SO many 80s pop culture references, but I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why there were so many. Some were well-placed references, that acted as subtle reminders that the story was taking place in the 80s (lacy jelly shoes, teased bangs, and banana clips), but others were noticeable and distracting, almost gimmicky and awkward (Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper, Sister Sledge and others). This may have just been a personal taste, though. Regardless, I know I'll be recommending this book to friends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Death of parent
bwluvs2read's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death
wherethewildreadsare's review
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts
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