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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book was such a great reimagining of the world of the world and inequity that explored present day issues, but in a very different way. Highly recommend.
“A system can’t be broken in a moment.”
An engrossing dystopian novel highlighting the impacts of colonialism and the systemic oppression that comes along with it. Highly recommended.
An engrossing dystopian novel highlighting the impacts of colonialism and the systemic oppression that comes along with it. Highly recommended.
4.5 rounded up. I loved Gutter Child. Very interesting dystopian take on BLM, police brutality and racial injustices. It felt a bit rushed throughout and especially towards the end and almost unfinished - like it set itself up for a sequel. I’d love to see this as a tv show or a movie someday - it felt very vibrant.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the themes of race/racism/colonialism/segregation. I think this book is a Young Adult novel and the writing style really shows that. I don’t think it takes away from the theme and story though. This would be a good novel study for high school.
This book is way way out of my comfort zone but I am so glad I picked it up. It’s a little bit dystopian/Sci fi-ish but it was a really amazing book. It brilliantly also had the undertones of racism/prejudice etc without being so obvious. The premise of this book and all the characters was super unique and I highly recommend checking this out. It’s a book I plan to read again so I can appreciate more of the writing the second time around. 5/5
Gutter Child takes place in an imagined alternate reality in which people live in either the privileged Mainland or the Gutter, whereby they are forced to buy their freedom by working off their debt to society (a debt they are born into).
Elimina Dubois was destined for the Gutter but, as part of an experiment, ended up being adopted by a Mainlander. When her mother dies Elimina is sent to an academy where she befriends Gutter children and discovers that she too will now be forced to make her way through the Gutter System, doing whatever she can to survive.
This was my first dystopian novel and I am so glad I picked it up as this book is incredible!
A both compelling and painful read, it was unfortunately too easy to imagine a world in which such a situation could become reality and the parallels between the world we live in today and Elemina’s world were both heartbreaking and thought provoking. I strongly believe this book should be taught in every high school!
I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Elimina Dubois was destined for the Gutter but, as part of an experiment, ended up being adopted by a Mainlander. When her mother dies Elimina is sent to an academy where she befriends Gutter children and discovers that she too will now be forced to make her way through the Gutter System, doing whatever she can to survive.
This was my first dystopian novel and I am so glad I picked it up as this book is incredible!
A both compelling and painful read, it was unfortunately too easy to imagine a world in which such a situation could become reality and the parallels between the world we live in today and Elemina’s world were both heartbreaking and thought provoking. I strongly believe this book should be taught in every high school!
I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Slavery
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Rape
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced