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theothergrl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a wonderful story about womanhood. The main character feels incredibly real, not that she is a meticulously and deeply explored personality, but that she is a deeply explored woman. I think that's what made this story so heartbreaking and tearjerking, the way you find yourself in the story, how you feel deeply for every character as if they are your own dad or your own best friend. Esme leaves room for all of us within her, to experience what she does, to love and lose as she does.
The other thing I love about this book is the way it's told through the words Esme collects. Just as she's starting to explore adulthood and rebel a little, she learns vulgar words, which I loved! As we explores life -sex, love, loss, independence -we do so through the words we learn along the way, that define and make sense of our experiences. The way the story unfolds as her dictionary grows is very poignant and effective, I cried so many times reading this! This book was such a wonderful experience.
The other thing I love about this book is the way it's told through the words Esme collects. Just as she's starting to explore adulthood and rebel a little, she learns vulgar words, which I loved! As we explores life -sex, love, loss, independence -we do so through the words we learn along the way, that define and make sense of our experiences. The way the story unfolds as her dictionary grows is very poignant and effective, I cried so many times reading this! This book was such a wonderful experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Abortion, War, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, and Cursing
Minor: Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
bella_mckinnon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
3.25
Interesting premise, enjoyed some parts of the dialogue between the women that were quite humorous in relation to the meaning of 'cunt', conclusion from part 6 onwards was well-done I thought. However, it felt too slow to me much of the time and it became somewhat of a chore to read. It was initially very satisfying that Esme was adamant about being an independent woman but then there was the predictable romantic interest plot-line with Gareth around 3/4 of the way through the book ...however, my disdain for that direction is just a personal thing, I'm sure people will like that anyhow. Overall interesting, but not life-changing and I wouldn't read it again, purely because it was so slowly-paced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Sexism
Minor: Rape and Torture
Basis of book is linguistic inequality, specifically how women's words are often discarded as being less important than men's words – sexism is a key implied theme. Part 5 onwards deals occasionally with WWI, with one character sending letters detailing his experience as a soldier overseas. Brief description of a torture method that is "a kind of rape" on p. 269.
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