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A review by jinmichae
Ghost Town by Kevin Chen
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
It's about a small town and the toll gossip can take, about missed chances and dreams set aside. And maybe making a future, despite everything.
I'm glad I read this despite the reviews. It helped to write down the names and traits of the main characters, (much like I did for War and Peace). Once I knew who everyone was, I barely put it down: I wanted to know what happened next, why characters had done what they'd done, and the secrets they hinted at.
For whatever reason, it hit the right spots for me by having a cast of very human, flawed characters. But I can also see how others would find it hard to get into. It's not a fairy tale: it's an unflinching look at a family falling apart, just like the town around them, and maybe coming together again in the end.
I'm glad I read this despite the reviews. It helped to write down the names and traits of the main characters, (much like I did for War and Peace). Once I knew who everyone was, I barely put it down: I wanted to know what happened next, why characters had done what they'd done, and the secrets they hinted at.
For whatever reason, it hit the right spots for me by having a cast of very human, flawed characters. But I can also see how others would find it hard to get into. It's not a fairy tale: it's an unflinching look at a family falling apart, just like the town around them, and maybe coming together again in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Sexual assault, Suicide, Outing, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Violence, Animal death, Self harm, Physical abuse, Blood, Eating disorder, Murder, Sexual content, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Excrement, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Addiction, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Abortion
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit