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pessimistically_optimist'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cancer, Gaslighting, and Grief
harleyburch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How would they ever understand my life is more than cider? Complex than that. Fuller deeper richer. Irritation that. Something. Not as good as me in the back of my head.
When I read that this was an experimental novel, I didn't expect it to be quite so jarring. At first, I saw this as a negative; I felt as if the style was drawing me away from the characters rather than into their lives. It wasn't until the end of the novel that the grammar-less stream-of-consciousness style started to speak to me. It was this disjointed use of the language that put me at such unease. Strikingly, this book is bleak - very bleak. Our nameless narrator is subjected to terrible events that become relentless as she slowly but surely tugs us into her head. I had no idea how a book written like this without much plot could end but the ending - while still very bleak - was impressive and memorable. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone (definitely pay attention to the content warnings) but it was a challenged yet insightful experience.
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, Suicide, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Violence
liolucia's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Sexual assault, Cancer, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
hollieadaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Grief, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Incest
Moderate: Vomit
bumble_abi's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Excrement and Ableism
stella_nutella's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide and Terminal illness