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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can appreciate the novels intentions, although I do feel it kind of started to fall off at the end. It was as if the story just started to run ahead without really digging deep into certain themes. That being said, that doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable. Gutter Child is a page turner and I will still recommend to a friend.
Its staying on the book shelf!
Its staying on the book shelf!
A heartbreaking story, although set in an imaginary world, is full of parallels to reality. It’s premise is that these children have a debt that they are working their whole life to pay off, which leaves them struggling to ever get ahead, while being used and mistreated. When Elimina’s mother passed away she was sent into an academy with many rules for her to follow. It’s not an easy place to be and she quickly learns if she wished to survive she is on her own.
This was a difficult read at times, the situations these children were put in, truly it could have used so many trigger warnings. I did feel like the author did an amazing job of building this dystopian world, perfecting these characters; I really could feel their pain. Sometimes it was so heavy I found myself needing a pause before resuming. The themes it explored are so prevalent today , and I think that’s why it hit me so hard at times. Elimina’s strength despite the abuse , racism and hatred she experienced is inspiring, and a reminder that so many can overcome hardships, but I can’t shake how unjust the world can be. Definitely a book that will stay with me a long time.
Meh. I’ll concede that this book had some thought-provoking points, but it mostly reminded me of books I liked better (Future Home of the Living God, Handmaid’s Tale).
Read it for class, and I didn’t enjoy it. The plot had potential but something was missing. The beginning took forever and the second half felt rushed.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
If you enjoy dystopian novels at all - this is one that I actually really liked. There were some moments it felt a little YA, and repetitive - but overall I enjoyed it. The parallels the author draws to modern day racism, classism and just getting stuck in the cycle of debt was very well done.
I especially kept seeing a connection to modern colleges and how we expect people to go into debt to prepare for success, only to work for the rest of their lives to pay it off and never feel free. It left me feeling outraged at times because of how broken it all is.
The ending made me really bummed, not because it was poorly done, but because I wanted more for the main character, but it was a believable ending for sure.
I especially kept seeing a connection to modern colleges and how we expect people to go into debt to prepare for success, only to work for the rest of their lives to pay it off and never feel free. It left me feeling outraged at times because of how broken it all is.
The ending made me really bummed, not because it was poorly done, but because I wanted more for the main character, but it was a believable ending for sure.
This book was pretty good, but it didn't blow me away. I didn't find myself getting super drawn in, but could see the parallels made to colonialism, racism, class inequity, etc. and think that dystopian fiction is a good way to draw those parallels to true histories and realities. (Read for Central Book Club)