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sammybook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
uniqlosocks's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nixiethepixie's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Listened as an audiobook. A generous, reflective and tender book from the heart of Western Sydney. Really well-written and lived in characters, setting and feelings throughout. There’s always such joy in reading of a place you have encountered yourself. Insights and reflections from the lives of Joey and Elaine, we are witness to the lives of people just living their everyday, surviving. The first and second generation immigrant experience are tenderly intertwined throughout the book as we move through guilt and shame, the feeling needing to leave, the police and justice system, rape culture, toxic masculinity, gambling and what you owe your family. The voices and characters are strong, and the malaise and hope for a better future feels present.
madeleinekl's review
5.0
So good - it's so rare to read a book about rape culture and toxic masculinity that doesn't hit you over the head with everything you're supposed to be thinking. No easy answers, no obvious villains, no big life-changing lessons - just real life. Really great writing too.
hornr's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Racism
nathanreadsnovels's review
5.0
The characters are so vivid that I’m almost certain I’ve met them all at least once.
maggielo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kowtherq's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
itsa_mario's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25