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emotional
sad
medium-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
A number of friends loved the book, and I think I might’ve seen the movie years ago. I anticipated a better book. Young adult isn’t my favorite genre, and as popular at Sue Monk Kidd is among my frowns, I think I need to stop wanting to like her books as much as they do. I simply don’t. This one was ok, but it wasn’t exactly what moves my soul in any direction. I’m obviously the wrong audience. I hope lots of young adult readers find inspiration and learning about racism and what it looked like back then in the 1960s.
I will say that I appreciated Lily’s aha moment, realizing she’s had white entitlement her whole life when she overhears what one of the women she’s come to see as a maternal figure thinks of her being a white child in their home. I think this very pivotal moment is going to spur her adult self to fight as a Civil Rights activist in her later years, and who knows, maybe she and Zach end up best friends (and more) forever? That wold be nice.
I will say that I appreciated Lily’s aha moment, realizing she’s had white entitlement her whole life when she overhears what one of the women she’s come to see as a maternal figure thinks of her being a white child in their home. I think this very pivotal moment is going to spur her adult self to fight as a Civil Rights activist in her later years, and who knows, maybe she and Zach end up best friends (and more) forever? That wold be nice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail