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pollydye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
slothrop_garp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jade_a's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
hollyval2306's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
alishajm's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could rate this higher than 5. Absolutely gorgeous, wonderfully vivid storytelling.
Was it grim and depressing? Very, but I felt so heavily invested in the family's lives I found myself thinking about them often when I wasn't reading. I laughed out loud a few times and I teared up at others. I am NOT easily moved by dramas or coming of age stories generally, but this is now an absolute favourite.
Was it grim and depressing? Very, but I felt so heavily invested in the family's lives I found myself thinking about them often when I wasn't reading. I laughed out loud a few times and I teared up at others. I am NOT easily moved by dramas or coming of age stories generally, but this is now an absolute favourite.
florencedobie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Addiction, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
harrisonarachel's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the story, was quite hard to read sometimes just because of the language. Sad, but not a far fetched series of events.
gayatriii's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not one for overtly emotional drivel. I can sense it when a book is written to elicit an emotional response and I will not fall prey to that manipulation. But what I've realised I am a sucker for, is earnest, vulnerable, honest writing that does not have an agenda. It is what it is. Shuggie is so vividly told. It's so charming. It's so funny. And it's so painful. But it's not manipulative. It's not vulgar or grotesque in its details and it's very much a respectful recap of someone's life, and your emotions are your responsibility.
That's not to say that this is an easy read. The punches keep coming, relentlessly. There's substance abuse, rape, emotional abuse, suicide, bullying, exploitation, poverty, near constant alcoholism, death, despair, profound sadness... I had to stop reading halfway through because I was ill and just could not put myself through it. And the fact that it's all being told by a child...
Would I recommend this book? Some of us are masochistic, so yeah maybe. Just writing this review and remembering some parts of the book has made me a little bit sad. I would recommend this book just for everybody to experience that kind of impact...
That's not to say that this is an easy read. The punches keep coming, relentlessly. There's substance abuse, rape, emotional abuse, suicide, bullying, exploitation, poverty, near constant alcoholism, death, despair, profound sadness... I had to stop reading halfway through because I was ill and just could not put myself through it. And the fact that it's all being told by a child...
Would I recommend this book? Some of us are masochistic, so yeah maybe. Just writing this review and remembering some parts of the book has made me a little bit sad. I would recommend this book just for everybody to experience that kind of impact...
maddyv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sonharaoluar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0