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mirandyli's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Colonisation, Car accident, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Classism, Bullying, Death of parent, Racism, War, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Grief, and Racial slurs
ukponge's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Homophobia
maevebm's review
- 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: War and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Car accident, Grief, and Homophobia
amandalorianxo's review
- 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
4.0
Hu’o’ng, Tua’n and Ben each encompass a point of view and at times we are exposed to how war can deeply impact a person as well as trying to identify with roots you may not be familiar with growing up in the West vs the East.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Xenophobia, and War
amiably's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia
liyahz's review
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Racial slurs
racostacos's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Bullying, War, Racism, and Death of parent
jazhandz'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, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia
Slurs used a couple times throughoutjust_one_more_paige's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Homophobia, Alcohol, Death, and Violence
jayisreading's review
4.5
The writing in Things We Lost to the Water is absolutely gorgeous, with stunning imagery and lyricism. Language is especially powerful in this novel, as Nguyen weaves Vietnamese and English together that adds to an already lush story, showing the intimacy of Vietnamese within the family and community; it’s a way to carry their heritage, similarly to many other immigrant families.
I would have loved if this book was a little longer, especially because the second half of the book—especially the final chapter—felt a bit rushed. Despite this, it was still a powerful read. I really look forward to future works by Nguyen.
Graphic: Bullying and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Torture
Minor: War