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priscillakill's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I think calling it the most disturbing book of all time doesn't really do it justice. I would instead actually call it relatable. It was a 243 page gut punch that made me think about my past, and the people i've known and lost. The collective trauma some of us have lived through is in line with the earnesty mused here. Ive known people who have gone through the systems of abuse like the ones dreamt up in this book over and over, and ended their own lives just like the author did. She was definitely processing a lot of trauma when she wrote this. RIP
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Physical abuse
Minor: Police brutality and Forced institutionalization
riomadre's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Stalking, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
specificwonderland's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I felt like the author needed a proofreader/editor, it almost came across as an ESL author, I'm not sure but some of the sentences almost felt like the words were in the wrong order. Maybe for the author it was an intended effect of the protagonist's drug use/dissociation.
Overall, I enjoyed the intense atmospheric misery that this book created, I don't know what is up with me and my brain but something about these type of books is so satisfying. Maybe it's like the new Selena Gomez song where she talks about sharing her story because it might make someone feel less alone. Like the depths of my despair as a human have a context and there's people who make it through much harder things. I wish the author was still with us, I think I would have read more of her books.
I think it's rooted in the feeling of being human, and feeling things deeply, and the power of a writer who is skilled to entirely immerse you in a world, a feeling, a mood, a life. This book was amazing, truly, at putting me into this atmosphere of numb yet unrelenting pain.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Rape, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Gore, Self harm, Police brutality, and Mental illness