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jkamler's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Abandonment, Genocide, Xenophobia, Murder, Violence, War, Grief, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
btlitell's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
I wanted to DNF this a few times, and while I have little to no hesitation to do so, I did at least want to see how this story ended. I'm not really sure it was worth the trouble, honestly. Maybe next time...
My overall thoughts are mixed on this book. It's my first read of a long work by Steinbeck, and I don't know if that's good or bad. I can confidently say I won't re-read this book later or even buy it to have on my shelf. I might read Steinbeck again in the future, but it will probably be Of Mice and Men or The Pearl again.
The characters were interesting with overall good development, but there were too many characters that I felt nothing toward or could have cared less or seemed to make no real impact on the story.
This story wasn't bad, I just thought there were too many moments that seemed to be in the story but weren't part of the story if that makes sense. I really enjoyed that there was a self-aware narrator who also had their own story here and there (which did, in a way, add world context for what was going on in the lives of the Trask and Hamilton families), but I think I appreciated that more because it felt unique more than anything else.
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Suicide, and Racial slurs
readwthsam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Sexual content
zworlund's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Rape, Suicide attempt, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
clemrain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The first three parts of the story were strong and I was eager to continue reading them. The fourth part is slow and, in my opinion, didn’t pay off well at a first glance. It’s because I just wanted to know the ending, and as it approached it just wasn’t what I wanted. However, I think in this book, that’s sort of the point.
The one major flaw of the story is
The depth of the novel is fun to sit on and think about. I don’t see a strong agenda in the writing. Just a few different perspectives. At the end of the day, no matter what we believe we’re all just gonna die. Good point.
Maybe some takes in this books might be sour to some. Like comparing the church to brothels. But nothing felt too outrageous to me.
I’m not sure why every female character had to have her chest detailed so much. Nevertheless, those female characters are strong and complicated. And I enjoyed their writing. None of the female characters were too alike which sometimes is a huge problem in classics.
The biblical analogies are really strong. And I enjoyed the conversations characters had regarding them.
Overall, a long read but an accessible one.
Graphic: Abortion and Animal death
Moderate: Hate crime, Medical content, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual content, War, and Xenophobia
stormblessedt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Xenophobia, and Suicide
Minor: War
ethrbo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Racial slurs
maviemerveilleuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Suicide, Racial slurs, Racism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism, Infidelity, Violence, Mental illness, Gun violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Child abuse
pigeonpersona's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Murder, and War
Minor: Xenophobia
meleequeen'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
4.25
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia