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frenchbooknerd's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
I picked this up because I absolutely adored The Vanishing Half and I was very curious to read something else by the author.
I loved the writing and the narration, I loved how the points of view shift but in a way that is so subtle that you almost don't notice without being confusing. I loved how the characters were developed and how I could picture it all. And I loved this idea of "the Mothers" as those exterior unreliable narrators who are still very much part of the setting and the story.
That said, as I was reading it, I grew more and more uncomfortable and I wasn't sure why at first but by the end I figured it out. This book feels like it's giving a very "pro-life" - I'm putting that in brackets because I don't believe that putting the existence of a cluster of cells before the actual life of a woman is actually pro life but that's my opinion - message. If you've had an abortion, this book can be triggering. This may not be on purpose but it still made the whole reading experience difficult for me.
I loved the writing and the narration, I loved how the points of view shift but in a way that is so subtle that you almost don't notice without being confusing. I loved how the characters were developed and how I could picture it all. And I loved this idea of "the Mothers" as those exterior unreliable narrators who are still very much part of the setting and the story.
That said, as I was reading it, I grew more and more uncomfortable and I wasn't sure why at first but by the end I figured it out. This book feels like it's giving a very "pro-life" - I'm putting that in brackets because I don't believe that putting the existence of a cluster of cells before the actual life of a woman is actually pro life but that's my opinion - message. If you've had an abortion, this book can be triggering. This may not be on purpose but it still made the whole reading experience difficult for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Abortion
urbanall's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infertility, Rape, and Abandonment
rbacon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
At points, I related to different characters. Elements of themselves I see in who I am. The Mothers are like an ever-present force and are so articulately displayed exactly like the church Mothers (and Grandmothers) I have known. I both hope one day to be one, know myself to already be one, and hope never to be like them. It's an odd sense of familiarity and love, whilst with that honest disdain at how churches can be self-destructive and fail to protect those they love the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Suicide, and Abortion
Minor: Infertility, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
merin_aran's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I was really not a fan of this book and felt very disappointed having read it after loving The Vanishing Half. There's no doubt that Brit Bennett can write well, however I didn't find the characters compelling and the plot lacked adequate depth.
Initially I thought the discussion of abortion was going to be progressive and nuanced, with both sides of the debate explored. However, this book is plain and simply anti-abortion and pro-life propaganda. Additionally I didn't like the way Bennett dealt with Nadia's mother's story; I felt like mental illness and suicide were vilified throughout. I will not be recommending this book to anyone.
Initially I thought the discussion of abortion was going to be progressive and nuanced, with both sides of the debate explored. However, this book is plain and simply anti-abortion and pro-life propaganda. Additionally I didn't like the way Bennett dealt with Nadia's mother's story; I felt like mental illness and suicide were vilified throughout. I will not be recommending this book to anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
laurenc1223's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.75
This book was kind of a wild ride. It's fairly short, but a lot happens. There are some really tough subjects discussed and the author puts the story and those subjects together so well. I love the different perspectives from the three main characters. Really great read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Abortion, and Death of parent
naddie_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
I liked this a lot even though I was shaking my head at these characters because why? (Drama & real life, that's why, but still.)
That ending paragraph was scary, in a way. Though the book technically followed three main characters throughout all this, the sense of community that surrounded the three of them was palpable, so I can only guess how that would've affected them even more. I don't know, I feel conflicted. I liked this, but also I just feel bad after reading this. And in the end, I guess that's just like real life.
That ending paragraph was scary, in a way. Though the book technically followed three main characters throughout all this, the sense of community that surrounded the three of them was palpable, so I can only guess how that would've affected them even more. I don't know, I feel conflicted. I liked this, but also I just feel bad after reading this. And in the end, I guess that's just like real life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Abortion
Minor: Rape
aappel2491's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
mishmash911'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Rape, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, and Religious bigotry
whatannikareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
i finished this book as i got to my destination on the subway and it felt like the universe was present w me. thank you brit bennett for reminding me what it feels like to be completely sucked into a book. but also i wanna fight you bc how could write a debut (!!!) novel this damn good. i think one has got to be my favorite between this and the vanishing half. soooo many good sentences i had to reread bc they were so poignant and made you think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
stubbornlybookish's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abortion, and Pregnancy