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maddie_can_read's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I've been reading her books out of publishing order and did not realize this was her second published book. It's interesting to see themes come up that she goes on to explore more in later works
One of the reasons I always enjoy the author's writing is how she centers Canada and Canadian characters and locations in her writing.
Minor: Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Grief
hmatt's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I also thought it was very interesting to see themes developing in this book that the author later explores more (i.e. the shipping industry and the glass hotel!!).
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Infidelity
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death, Murder, Pregnancy, and Deportation
musicalpopcorn's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Another beautifully written book by Mandel. I love her method of non-linear story-telling and how she creates fascinating, unique characters. It’s magic to me how she manages to make such strangely woven stories so readable and so enthralling.
Graphic: Confinement, Trafficking, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Death, and Murder
miller8d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As for the plot of this book, I really liked that so many moments were so humiliating and gut-wrenching; the exhausting walk to the party where she humiliated herself and then found the nude art book; the sobbing while stealing the cat; the telling his fiancé that he wanted to part ways on their honeymoon; the parents approving the blackmail; his speechlessness when Gary mentions that Aria’s an obvious thief; Aria’s contempt and condescending attitude toward Anton which eventually culminates in her becoming his killer; the embarrassing desperation with which he took interest in the singer; I could go on, everything was embarrassing and I felt it very viscerally.
As always, Mandel does an incredible service to the world by
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Death, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Trafficking, Classism, Grief, Murder, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Bullying, and Infidelity
Moderate: Violence, Incest, Terminal illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Gore
I seriously don’t understand why