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andalucia's review
- 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
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Classism, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Religious bigotry
cardenasjamiee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Pregnancy and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism and Child abuse
readwithsuzanna's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Incest, and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
robin_b's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
smotola's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Sexual violence
notsogabbygabby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, Incest, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
bananski's review
4.5
Graphic: Pregnancy, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Incest, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
defeating_my_demons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Pregnancy, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Death, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death
aalfie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Alcoholism, Vomit, Abandonment, Addiction, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
sarahholliday's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If I had to describe the story in a single word, it'd be: BLEAK. A relentless study in just how gross and awful humans can be, there's also the added weight of climate change, broken-down familial relationships, and an oppressive sense of hopelessness.
But that might be why the ending (I won't spoil anything here, don't worry) is so beautiful. There are no "easy" answers or perfect happily-ever-afters, but there is hope. Bieker forces readers to sit in the truly miserable, to face the realities experienced by so many, in order to point out the ability of love, kindness, and beauty to exist in the most unlikely of places. There's no sentimentality in that idea, either. Just a simple yet deeply-rooted conviction that things can be truly awful and occasionally wonderful all at the same time.
This is definitely not a book for everyone, but it'll go on my recommendation list nevertheless and I'll be waiting to run across the right reader.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Suicide, Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Rape, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, and Gaslighting