Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Candy House by Jennifer Egan

6 reviews

greavuem's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent and Pandemic/Epidemic

asodl123's review against another edition

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

I've been a fan of Egan since being assigned A Visit from the Goon Squad in my college American Lit course for reasons beyond my comprehension. Her way with language and plays with time and genre fascinate me immensely, and The Candy House is no exception. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse, Addiction, Cursing, Grief, Suicide, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, and Sexual content

cwerber's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An interesting book. I picked it up because I wanted something to read while sitting with my dad in his hospital room. I didn't know it was a sequel but from what reviews I read, I didn't need to. 

But I think I miss out on something about some of the characters in the book and will, most likely, read the first book. 

Anyway, there is a loose plot to the book with the stories jumping perspectives and timelines but always somehow tangentially related. It was an interesting read and I will be thinking about it for a while. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, and Terminal illness

beccasherman's review against another edition

dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Rape, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent

alrepen's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, and Rape

literarylion's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Pros:

• Well-constructed -- Egan clearly planned carefully
• Just the right amount of callback to Goon Squad without feeling like a straight sequel
• The style variation between chapters/characters was well executed and compelling

Cons:

• Relationships between the characters were complex/opaque to the point of confusion

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Infidelity

Moderate: Death

Minor: Alcohol, Classism, and Death of parent