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smalljules'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
5.0
If you are able make it past the content warnings, I believe this book will move your heart and soul.
Graphic: Homophobia and Hate crime
Moderate: Death, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Trafficking, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Violence, Terminal illness, Sexism, Murder, and Kidnapping
caties_books'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Blood, Chronic illness, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs
wellreadmegs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you could get passed all of that - I do think there were some really impactful parts of the book. I struggled to feel like this was believable at times because of the amount of traumatic things that happened to Cyril and the close people in his life so often. Did I think all of those things could happen yes - did I think they could happen to one person in one lifetime? Not particularly. That made it hard to stay in the story.
Once Cyril went to Amsterdam though I found the book really coming into its own. I was clearly interested enough to see what happened at the end but it was a struggle to get through at times. The ending was lovely and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book - I would just power through the first bit of the book if you want to fully enjoy it!
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexism, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny
lindseydunn'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
The beginning is very cataclysmic. From the pregnant 16 year old girl being called a whore and thrown out of a church by the priest to a father killing his own son for being gay. But you have to see all the hate and bigotry to appreciate the story of Cyril Avery and of Catherine Goggin. They are incredibly strong people.
The epilogue destroyed me. It was probably the most tragically beautiful part of the whole book. But in it, Ireland has changed forever as we have known it and there is hope for the next generation.
The book is broke up into seven sections, each at a different place in Cyril Avery’s life. I loved this aspect of the book because you can see how, not only is Cyril changing, but also how Ireland is changing.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Homophobia, child prostitution, violence against homosexuals, violence, religious extremism, hate crime, religious bigotry, misogyny, suicidal thoughts/ideations, sexism, chronic illness, infidelity, chronic Illness, child abuse, child death, rape, sexual violence, police brutality, pedophilia, death of parent
Graphic: Sexism, Homophobia, Rape, Religious bigotry, Violence, Police brutality, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
peanutparker's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Death, Violence, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Murder, War, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Cancer, Dementia, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Kidnapping
jojoana's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence and Terminal illness
shel_bay11'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
Moderate: Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Child death, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Trafficking, War, Murder, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Cancer, Dementia, and Incest
egg_cup'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, Violence, Sexism, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Racial slurs, and Medical content
juliaureads'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? No
4.5
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Wonderful writing, fantastic characters. Could have done with a faster pace, but that's purely personal preference.
The epilogue got me in the end, don't worry.
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Sexism
Minor: Cancer
yuhanlin'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? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Violence, and Kidnapping