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nicolaparty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcohol
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve always been a fan of the sentimental so this book struck a chord with me. It evokes all the feelings, from laughter to tears. While the book is about a bank robbery gone wrong, it’s really about the people involved in this hostage scene and about people in general. Looking into each person’s mind and heart, Backman makes a point on how messy life is and how idiotic we all can be, and calls us as readers to have empathy for our fellow humans.
I also enjoyed the drama of it all, though. For two thirds of the book I really wasn’t sure who the bank robber was and if they’d catch them or what was going to happen. I liked the plot twists told through a nonlinear timeline that kept me reading beyond the sentimental parts and the idiotic humorous parts.
Overall, a fantastic beautiful read and a reminder that we’re all going through something, but it gets a little better if we have each other’s backs.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Infidelity, Classism, Blood, and Pregnancy
kromany's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Grief and Confinement
Minor: Gun violence and Pregnancy
sarahbethhh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Confinement, and Infidelity
chasingpages1's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Death, Confinement, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism, Classism, Dementia, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Drug use, Addiction, and Blood
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Grief, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Dementia, Pregnancy, War, Cancer, Xenophobia, and Child abuse
katstu1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Self harm, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt
manu_k's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
It keeps its pacing all throughout the book, and even when we get to the heavy parts, Backman keeps it light with a well-timed sarcastic comment or incongruous joke. The story flows well, and the smooth change in point of views compliments the non-linear storytelling. The writing is beautiful and the way the story comes together at the end is inspired.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Alcoholism
Minor: Violence, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Blood, Pregnancy, Grief, Confinement, and Cancer
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement, Suicide, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Infidelity, Classism, Death, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, and Gun violence
boba_n_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Suicide
Moderate: Confinement