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zombiezami's review
I really wanted to like this book. Based on the description and the rave reviews, I thought I would. I had about 40 pages left to go. Usually, when I'm that close to finishing a book, I accelerate my reading because I want to know what happens next. Even though I'm close to finishing, I put the book down, and I probably won't be picking it up again. It simply drags by this point.
Much of this book, particularly the second half, feels like a first draft. The book started off strong, and at first, I thought the author captured the voice of a young autistic girl well. As time went on, though, the writing got quite clunky. There is a scene where the phrase "we nodded quietly" appears. As opposed to what exactly??
The narrative gets bogged down by the minutiae of the Rolling Pebbles club meetings. I would rather just attend the meetings rather than get a play-by-play of every word that is said in them. Although conflicts arise that I think are supposed to move the plot forward, they really don't. They just felt like descriptions of autistic traits clumsily jammed in the middle of everything. Pretty disappointing book.
Much of this book, particularly the second half, feels like a first draft. The book started off strong, and at first, I thought the author captured the voice of a young autistic girl well. As time went on, though, the writing got quite clunky. There is a scene where the phrase "we nodded quietly" appears. As opposed to what exactly??
The narrative gets bogged down by the minutiae of the Rolling Pebbles club meetings. I would rather just attend the meetings rather than get a play-by-play of every word that is said in them. Although conflicts arise that I think are supposed to move the plot forward, they really don't. They just felt like descriptions of autistic traits clumsily jammed in the middle of everything. Pretty disappointing book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Ableism
Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death and Suicide attempt
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