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_maria_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Transphobia, Grief, and Death of parent
katsbooks'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
“She hadn't realized how long it takes to become somebody else, or how lonely it can be living in a world not meant for you.”
“The only difference between lying and acting was whether your audience was in on it, but it was all a performance just the same.”
“A body could be labeled but a person couldn’t, and the difference between the two depended on that muscle in your chest. That beloved organ, not sentient, not aware, not feeling, just pumping along, keeping you alive.”
I have so many feelings about this book. I don't know if I feel confident in articulating them. This book followed the lives of twins Desiree and Stella and their respective daughters, Jude and Kennedy. They are raised in the town of Mallard, a town for light-skinned "colored" people. When they get older, they make choices that will influence the rest of their lives and that of their daughters. This story obviously had a ton of commentary on colorism and what it means to "pass." I was really glad I had the chance to buddy read this because it was helpful to chat through some of the heavy themes. I think the title of this book is really spot on because it can be applied to so many different pieces of the novel. Ultimately, it's a book about identity. What does it mean to be Black? White? Man? Woman? Daughter? Mother? Family? I fully understand why this book has received all the hype it has in the last year or two. It is a powerful narrative that definitely feels like it will become a classic that is analyzed in classrooms for a long time. I would recommend going into this novel a little blind. What I've written here is basically what I knew about it when I went in and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience the story without any preconceived notions.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
linesiunderline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Bennett is a subtle and gifted writer. She leaves room for the reader to make connections, slowly realizing the interconnectedness between characters and themes, and appreciate the things not said, merely suggested.
I love what this book made me think about identity. How much of ourselves do we create? How much of ourselves is our history, the legacy of family through generations? And still, there will always be parts of us that remain mysterious, even unknown, to those we love and even to ourselves.
A beauty of a story.
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Dementia, and Grief
davidrb's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria
jamie_reads_stuff'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
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Grief
libbyb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
clea's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Grief, and Dysphoria
Minor: Misogyny, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
mikahasbadtaste's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Gaslighting
booksandcat'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder