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jeanspantalones'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: Sexual violence, Rape, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide, Confinement, Antisemitism, Torture, and Grief
The spoilers sound bad, but it is more a commentary on the historical context and setting of the book than the book itself. The author treats most of these scenes with respect, even if they are uncomfortable, nothing is graphic just for the sake of it.kclark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
The language in the book is SO flowery that it is just exhausting, and I love flowery, poetic prose, but this was too much. It was as if the book was struggling to make itself more impressive but came off like a college student trying to say something profound on every page of the book. An example: "The water surrounded them, each wave sloshing forward with it's own wet, singular song, offering the pull of undertow and a brief respite from gravity." It would be fine, and perhaps effective, if this language was used sparingly, but it was constant. This propensity for the over embellished also has the effect of making the sex scenes seem like they were supposed to be sordid and poetic which made it feel like a cheesy romance.
The characters sometimes felt really well developed and crafted, but then immediately lose track of that character development and slip back into seemingly formulaic character archetypes.
Were I not reading this for a summer book bingo, I might have moved on.
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual violence, Death, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
qqjj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Outing, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Death, and Confinement
mynamescarol'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
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Misogyny, Torture, Homophobia, Grief, War, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexism, Infidelity, and Forced institutionalization
rubycb'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: Suicide, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, and Torture
onmalsshelf's review against another edition
4.0
My original rating was 4 stars, and then I moved it to 5 stars. Upon talking with my buddy read, I’m changing it back to 4. I wanted more of Malena’s story, more so than any of the other characters.
If you like book that is full of family dynamics over several decades, both blood and chosen, I highly suggest picking this one up.
This book was both optimistic and heartbreaking and it was just what I needed.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Suicide
lynneliu'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Lesbophobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexual harassment, and Torture
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Medical trauma, and Racism
beleng'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Pedophilia, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
imreallyraven'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: Infidelity, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Misogyny, Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Torture
megplant'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: Homophobia, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Torture
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, and Biphobia
Conversion therapy