elzi13 's review for:

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

4.0

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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It was a hard book to read. Very graphic and upsetting at times. That said it's very well written and the prose and pacing are beautiful. It provides an important insight into Ireland during that time and a hopeful look at what the country might become. I didn't find myself truly enjoying the book till about 200 pages in but I think it was worth the effort besides.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Dementia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic