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shlymiller's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Child death and Grief
annamary54's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
This book is fantastic, I will definitely be recommending to everyone. Each characters struggle to just survive in the face of gentrification, and how their stories crossover is so captivating. These characters had so much perspective, it felt like I knew them. The chapter “Lite Feet” especially got to me, I was not expecting that. (iykyk) My other favorites were “Ms. Dallas,” “Camaraderie,” and “Federation for the Like-minded.” This book also captures the english language in a way that is rarely used in literature. Some of the best writing I’ve encountered on my current reading kick. I will say I struggled to get into the book since it’s not very plot driven (and I like a plot heavy book), but once I understood the flow of it I really enjoyed it. Especially once I reached “Ms. Dallas,” I couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Classism
Moderate: Fatphobia and Child death
Minor: Violence
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Like any collection of stories, some of these I liked more than others, but what I found really compelling is how effectively these fictional accounts show the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to low-income/subsidized housing in America. In particular, how easy it is for the system to work against you or how one expense or incident can have catastrophic effects on a basic need. The audiobook cast in this is also excellent, it's almost like listening to a podcast series it feels so immersive and personal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Racism, Bullying, and Sexism
brynalexa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Loved the cast of characters in the audiobook. Great concept. I loved how all the stories slightly intertwined, I wished they would have more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Death of parent, Child death, Fatphobia, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
brittanykroeckel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
I’ll start off with why I didn’t give a 5– the format for me was hard to follow. I often need structure in my reading cause I tend to lose track and get distracted. So it was a slight challenge and new for me but it doesn’t take away from the book.
This was a great book and I’m glad I finally got it off my tbr!!! I liked how each of the stories was connected to a previous character in one way or another. It felt like a domino effect but not too forced either. I think this is a great book club read as it made me reflect on the challenges they were facing and how these are reflected in the lives of others different from myself. Although each was a short story, I easily felt emotions for these characters and reactions to their individual things going on. I’d recommend this to anyone!!
This was a great book and I’m glad I finally got it off my tbr!!! I liked how each of the stories was connected to a previous character in one way or another. It felt like a domino effect but not too forced either. I think this is a great book club read as it made me reflect on the challenges they were facing and how these are reflected in the lives of others different from myself. Although each was a short story, I easily felt emotions for these characters and reactions to their individual things going on. I’d recommend this to anyone!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Child death and Racial slurs
cassy_smith's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
I loved this book. Highly recommend the audiobook too. Each section is read by a different person and it really brings the stories to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Bullying, and Death
salemander's review against another edition
4.5
very beautifully written and tragic collection of stories. wasn’t a fan of the language and treatment of the chinese characters in one of the stories, it really wasn’t necessary. the mrs. davis and litefeet chapters made me so fucking sad for those kids, the education system is so fucked and i know those stories came from real experiences. overall a very interesting book and the way it was written phonetically was really cool!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Classism, Ableism, Fatphobia, Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual harassment
badmom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Intriguing set of vignettes centered on people living in/associated with a Harlem apartment building targeted for gentrification. The characters’ flaws are highlighted but with loving care; they struggle because they’re at the mercy of a racist & classist system.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Classism, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Alcohol, and Bullying
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, and Sexual content
cadence99's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A good book, which is definitely enhanced by an audiobook read, due to the multiple narrators used to depict each character. My main complaint is one of personal taste: I’m finding that I’m not a huge fan of fiction that only spends small chunks of time with each character- I am always left wanting more, feeling as if I’m missing so much of each persons story- overall, still a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
Minor: Fatphobia
cass_lit's review against another edition
3.5
What I liked about this:
- Each character was so flushed out despite only having a short story to themselves
- It’s a collection of stories about almost-strangers whose lives are connected by their living location
What kept me from loving it:
- Some of the main characters were very unlikable. I’m just not a huge fan of an unlikeable narrator.
- Many of the MCs used racist (often against Chinese side characters), ableist, and fatphobic language
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Fatphobia
Minor: Ableism