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leandrathetbrzero's review
mysterious
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
2.0
*BOOK RATING CATCH UP #17/54 😳*
When I originally read this book, I marked it as a 4-star read in my bullet journal. However, months later, I continue to be uncomfortable with the overt fatphobia displayed by our young sleuth, SuLin. The mystery plot fascinated me, I enjoyed the musings made while comparing British and Singaporean culture, and the commentary on British colonialism/imperialism was spot on. So, why did this author have to focus on one particular character's weight and habit of eating sweets?
It's beyond frustrating, especially because the woman character targeted had a laundry list of negative attributes. We were not meant to like her. That is clear. Therefore, the addition that she was the only fat character in this mystery, and how everyone teased and bullied her for this so openly, it seemed as those Yu wanted us to dislike her for her fatness as well.
Unfortunately, since then, I have read other depictions of fatphobia, and I cannot stand by it.
When I originally read this book, I marked it as a 4-star read in my bullet journal. However, months later, I continue to be uncomfortable with the overt fatphobia displayed by our young sleuth, SuLin. The mystery plot fascinated me, I enjoyed the musings made while comparing British and Singaporean culture, and the commentary on British colonialism/imperialism was spot on. So, why did this author have to focus on one particular character's weight and habit of eating sweets?
It's beyond frustrating, especially because the woman character targeted had a laundry list of negative attributes. We were not meant to like her. That is clear. Therefore, the addition that she was the only fat character in this mystery, and how everyone teased and bullied her for this so openly, it seemed as those Yu wanted us to dislike her for her fatness as well.
Unfortunately, since then, I have read other depictions of fatphobia, and I cannot stand by it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
karcitis's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Alcohol, Murder, Gun violence, Sexism, Colonisation, Death, and Classism
Moderate: Fatphobia, Drug use, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit, Stalking, Excrement, Abortion, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Animal death, and Death of parent
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