A review by lee_ann_a
Betty by Tiffany McDaniel

dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Jesus Crimson.  That's really all I can say about this book. 

Y'all, I love tragedy and dark stories and trauma porn, or whatever you want to call it. I like stories that dwell on the shitty part of life on this planet. A Little Life is my favorite novel, so that's my point of reference when I tell you that this book was almost too much for me. I barely finished. 

I can tolerate a lot of human abuse and horror but on top of that, this book has outrageous scenes of animal abuse that permanently scarred my soul.  And the worst part about it, is that this is an actual recounting of the life of the author's mother. BLESS IT.  To the actual Betty this book is based on, I'm so so so sorry that you had to live through that hellacious childhood and I hope your adulthood was exponentially better.  Thank the stars for your father, the only bright light in this whole story. 

At times the writing was melodic and Landon's stories were surreal, but I can't even give this book a start rating because I don't know how. 

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