A review by gabriellejane
Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

This book ruined me and I can't stop thinking about the Carpenters. Will probably write a more detailed review later and I already have my own copy on order. I sobbed for 2 hours during the last 30% of the book. 

I feel like this book has flown under the radar on social media/rec lists which is devastating to me. I would read this if you like A Little Life or Against the Loveless World AND love poetic, lyrical, and winding prose. Best enjoyed when you can be fully carried away by Betty and her family. Highly recommend reading for 6 hours straight and not even looking at your phone or caring about the outside world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

There is the use of one racial slur that I felt did not need to be included. It was alluded to in previous chapters and was a little jarring/out of place in its use towards the last third of the book as it did nothing to move the story/plot line. There were other slurs used but were part of Betty's coming of age and fighting against racism/believing in herself through discussions with her dad. Would be interested in others' opinions on this!