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embersonthehearth's reviews
8 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
The descriptions are great from a technical standpoint, but boring if you want a story that has something to say.
Not a novel, but a series of beautifully written narrative descriptions. At least it was short.
3.0
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Cannibalism, Death, Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Antisemitism and Hate crime
5.0
Can't wait to watch the film and get a more adult view of the story.
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, and Medical content
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Worth a read, but won't reread. I haven't watched the film, but it would work great as a play.
A light-hearted intro to sci-fi for those who aren't ready for the 'heavier' works in the genre.
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Genocide, Violence, Torture, and War
2.0
This book was not bad, it was just not good. It was too long, and the main premise (how food can show us who someone really is) felt very forced into what are basically annotated biographies of women who have been profiles to infinity already. The author assumes you can make massive assumptions about people because they mention one random meal in a journal.
But, like I said, not everything was bad. If these stories had been written as short articles (the author's strong point in my opinion), they could've been a great read. Trying to extend them into a fully-fleshed book just didn't work.
The intro and epilogue, however, showcase what a good writer the author can be. They are short, snappy, funny, emotional, and make you think. Pity the rest of the book wasn't like that.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Religious bigotry, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, War, Racial slurs, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Antisemitism
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The story develops in two streams: past and present.
The past one is interesting, however it could take place anywhere at anytime. There is nothing that makes it relevant to the place and location.
The present one is just bad. The protagonist is unbearable even though we're supposed to be rooting for her, and the things she goes through are just plain ridiculous. Bored housewife meets Indiana Jones, but if he was a complete idiot.
The worst part is that the concept of the book is, if not unique, very interesting. Pity the story wasn't better developed.
I can see why the book is popular though, it's chick lit (which I actually like). It's easy to read, you want to know what happens next, and the characters are mostly women. For what it is, it's ok. Just don't sell it as an historical mystery.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Abortion, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, and Medical content