A review by kierscrivener
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

emotional
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This is an intergenerational story of a family, of their trials and disconnections. Of teen pregnancy and of finding oneself. I enjoyed it heartily but with how shirt it was and so many stories interweaving back and forth I never felt like I fully got to know the characters.

Iris was the character I connected with and loved seeing Aubrey, but their daughter's parts that bookmarked the book I felt unmoored in following. We mostly saw her as a child and it felt strange that she was the one beginning and ending and we never fully saw thirties Iris' thoughts and inner world.

I really loved the story but if it had been more fleshed out and longer it would have become a favourite. 

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