Scan barcode
kenzieburns's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
This book really challenged my perceptions of race in the US, especially in recent history. I wasn't "shocked" by the segregation that pervaded into the later portions of the novel, but I did have to keep reminding myself that it was set in the 80s at that point, and even earlier in the book it was only the late 50s/early 60s. That's like, when my mom was born. It also gave me pause to consider that, yes, we're 40 years down the line from the 80s, but how much has changed? I was particularly struck by the introduction of Stella's portion of the story when the main plot point is that the neighborhood association is scandalized by a Black family moving in, and people were saying how it would "drop property value" and they "wouldn't be wanted, so why would they move in anyways?". I just know that there are still neighborhood association meetings today that play out following the exact same script.
I'm particularly moved by Stella's chosen life in passing. I think I expected so much more fear to bleed through in her part of the story, but was equally moved by how nonchalantly it seemed to be discussed. Like, don't get me wrong, I definitely felt some fear in her perspective, but the fear was less of the "I'll be found out and killed" that I expected and more of a "everything I've built and worked hard for, even though no one knows I've worked hard for it, will be destroyed". I'm not sure why, but this difference in the perceived motivation of the fear made it all the more striking to read for me. I also think the author did an amazing job of writing Kennedy's perspective. I felt bad for her, for so many reasons (not knowing half of her identity, being lied to all her life, and having to lie for the rest of it as well...), but I also felt jealous of her/mad at her on behalf of Jude, who didn't seem to feel either of those emotions toward her cousin. It's really interesting to me that, as a White reader, I was feeling these negative emotions towards the perceived White character in the book, even though the Black character didn't display these emotions; so, these emotions were coming entirely from within myself, which leads me to believe they come from my own internal biases. Definitely something to make a personal note of and evaluate, but also writing it here to hold myself accountable.
My one gripe is that I wish there was more resolution to the Stella/Kennedy storyline. I felt like this was left very much an unknown, and would have loved to see even a tiny bit of Kennedy's coming to terms with her mother's (and her own) background. But, maybe this is my Whiteness wanting more resolution to the perceived White storyline, and maybe that's the whole point of leaving this storyline up in the air; that's not what the author wanted to focus on. All in all, a great novel that really challenged my thinking.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Dementia, Grief, and Dysphoria
clairew97's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
sperigo's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel longer than 300 pages, yet I couldn’t put this one down.
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Addiction
laurenmaria422's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Death and Dementia
michaelion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Passing is a thing that happened and I'm sure there are still many, many quadroons and hexadecaroons walking around without a clue. I've always felt sympathy for the people who passed, and this book definitely gave me a new / another understanding. (I mean, who can be mad at you for wanting better for your life and your family?) To be moved so much by a book show just how good it is. That being said though I do not feel sympathy for Stella!
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Dementia, Murder, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Deadnaming, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, and Pandemic/Epidemic
cakrolik's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Dementia, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
annieogg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Dementia and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Dysphoria
Many triggering topics are discussed, but it's in a very thoughtful, constructive way. There is no sensationalism.val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
tabear's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Dementia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Murder
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, Death of parent, and Murder