bigmamahughes 's review for:

White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

4.75

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I loved this book, excellent gothic horror. I was surprised to see so many low reviews based on readers’ confusion - it’s not a simple read, that’s true. It does require one’s attention. I thought that was a good thing, though. Maybe that’s because I’m old?

I only took off a quarter star because

it’s never addressed that Emma is the one stabbing the 
Kosovan boys - her guilt seemed exceedingly clear at one point (after some good confusion), but she’s never held accountable. Though that definitely fits with the themes of racism and white privilege… Hmmm. That’s probably a me problem. Now I want to re-read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Grief, Death of parent

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping

Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Stalking