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utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The prose was very good, and Irene's inner monologue and anxieties provide the tension that keeps the book thrumming. Her complex feelings about Clare's choices were presented in the confusing way that she experiences them. The ending shocked me despite already knowing the events that would occur.
A really thought-provoking book, discussing identity in a way I had not really considered previously.
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Racism
kerrence30's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Racism, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
wytnie's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Racism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship
threeundertwopnw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Racism, Death, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, and Classism
maraudergrl90's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Racism, and Infidelity
chwinters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Toxic friendship
rieviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In the foreground there's race and the concept of passing, with all of its moral implications. I think the theme is explored really well, and through the different characters we can observe all of its nuances.
The author is also good at delving deep into the main character's psychology. The relationship between Irene and Clare is fraught with conflicting emotions, and it is build upon in a very clever way until the shocking breaking point.
I really appreciated the themes and the prose, but I wasn't completely swept away by the story, hence the 4-star rating.
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Misogyny
Minor: Infidelity, Child abuse, Antisemitism, Murder, Suicide, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Fatphobia, and Classism
bookrokosmos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
faith99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity
lateromantic's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Blood, Hate crime, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Cultural appropriation, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Stalking, and Colonisation