Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Deacon King Kong by James McBride

22 reviews

thebowandthebook's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-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? No

4.25

Incredibly vibrant description and characterization, felt like I was transported straight to NYC. Storyline was good, intertwining in interesting ways. Good emotional attachment to some characters (especially the Elephant), but not all of the characters were likable, but they were very lifelike. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Cursing

Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, Murder, and Sexual content

Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, and Suicide

habeels's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Suicide

trilobite's review

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cozy pulp

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Addiction

Minor: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Suicide, Child abuse, and Murder

bigbuttandabook's review against another edition

emotional funny sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a entertaining read. I really enjoy reading books that discuss history but make it more personable by attaching a person or people to it. The crack epidemic, housing issues, the racial divide between Blacks and Italians in New York isn’t new. But this well crafted story that gives you a peak into the loves and connections of the people living it through fictional characters was masterful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Gun violence

angievansprang's review against another edition

funny mysterious reflective slow-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

3.75

Loved this story by the end. There was a good mystery plot that keeps you engaged plus a vivid cast of endearing characters. I felt that the pacing of the book was very slow until the last ~150 pages hence the lower rating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Alcoholism

Moderate: Gun violence and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault

ncoletti's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Drug abuse

juliabristow's review

hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Main gripes with this are that even though the characters have a lot of backstory, they don't feel very flushed out as individual people which leads to some plot-convenience actions happening. There's also a few things that never got wrapped up or just didn't make sense, but overall it was relatively enjoyable. It's a book about the NY projects in the 60's and the main character is an eccentric but charming guy that /sometimes/ makes up for the things I didn't like about it. It's also pretty goofy at times but in a good way 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence

daniellekat's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

If I wasn’t reading this for a book club I would have DNF’d after the first chapter. The whole book was a slog to get through. I didn’t get the humour and I found the writing extremely over descriptive. The characters were unlikeable and I never found myself invested in any of their stories. Overall, boring and way too long. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Drug use, Racial slurs, and Racism

Minor: Suicide

lrcartee's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I felt like this book went in circles. I almost gave up about 25% but started to make some connections within the plot so I stuck it out. Upon finishing, I felt this book could have been just the last 20-30 pages as it summarized the plot and tied it together. It was just not my cup of tea.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Alcohol

Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, and Violence

mwalla's review

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol

Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, and Suicide

Minor: Car accident