appalachianaltuntas's reviews
19 reviews

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Beautiful writing and characters that will stick with me for years. However it could’ve been a good 300 pages shorter, and more importantly, I think the portrayal of trauma was not done in a sensitive way. It makes me think the author has not been through any of the things she explores in this book, because if she had, she would never describe it in these ways. But rather, she uses this heavy, graphic content to shock and further her plot rather than discuss honestly. It felt voyeuristic and sadistic, not a sensitive exploration of how trauma impacts someone and those around him. That being said, my heart breaks for Jude and I’ll think about him every day now ❤️ Impactful book, but I feel icky about the author and I think the story could’ve been executed in a much more beautiful and gentler way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved the strong voices of Jack and Ennis, that I could hear their tones as I read. However it was so incredibly short, I feel like it had so much potential to be an amazing full-length book. I had to rely on the movie a lot to fill in the gaps. Lovely story though 

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

dark funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Son by Lois Lowry

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The Women by Kristin Hannah

emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Fleabag: The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Divergent by Veronica Roth

adventurous inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0