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A review by taratearex
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Wow, this book was a lot- beautiful, heartbreaking, enraging, sad, hopeful... I read a few reviews with references to content warnings before I read this and I am glad that I did, it is very heavy, but I felt better going into it prepared. It still ripped my heart out. I listened to the audiobook and this is one of the few books where I actually just laid down and listened during a lot of it.
The book has 3 perspectives and jumps back and forth in time where one character is giving background, this format has often not worked well for me but it absolutely did work here and I found myself caring deeply about each POV and feeling like I was never ready to leave their part when it switched. I also think this was strengthened by the audiobook having 3 voices for the different characters, each one really brought them to life. And the author really brings real life situations to these characters, it's a lot, but it's happening every day in this racist capitalist hellscape. This book covers so much and does so with care, complexity, and nuance it deserves. It's heavy, but so loving and hopeful at the same time. (Literally got teary just writing this review)
One small thing I really loved, there are music references throughout and every one of them made me smile. Also, loved the book mentions. I know I listen to a lot of music and read a lot, but I was wondering how I got every reference so I looked up the author's age after finishing the book and she was born in the same year as me, no idea if that's why or we just have similar taste :)
CW: islamophobia, racism, sexual assault (off page/referenced), PTSD, death of parent, death, drug abuse/overdose, terminal illness, child/domestic abuse, anxiety/panic attacks, trauma
The book has 3 perspectives and jumps back and forth in time where one character is giving background, this format has often not worked well for me but it absolutely did work here and I found myself caring deeply about each POV and feeling like I was never ready to leave their part when it switched. I also think this was strengthened by the audiobook having 3 voices for the different characters, each one really brought them to life. And the author really brings real life situations to these characters, it's a lot, but it's happening every day in this racist capitalist hellscape. This book covers so much and does so with care, complexity, and nuance it deserves. It's heavy, but so loving and hopeful at the same time. (Literally got teary just writing this review)
One small thing I really loved, there are music references throughout and every one of them made me smile. Also, loved the book mentions. I know I listen to a lot of music and read a lot, but I was wondering how I got every reference so I looked up the author's age after finishing the book and she was born in the same year as me, no idea if that's why or we just have similar taste :)
CW: islamophobia, racism, sexual assault (off page/referenced), PTSD, death of parent, death, drug abuse/overdose, terminal illness, child/domestic abuse, anxiety/panic attacks, trauma
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Xenophobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Islamophobia, Racism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault