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Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'
When We Become Ours: A YA Adoptee Anthology by Nicole Chung, Shannon Gibney
3 reviews
thewoodlandbookshelf's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Racism
imstephtacular's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I usually struggle with anthologies and story collection, but this piqued my interest. I was fascinated by the differing stories and found this collection helpful as a white woman for understanding and unlearning some of the harmful language I’ve use myself when interacting with adoptees in the past. I am glad this book exists, even if not every story was a knockout in my opinion. I appreciated the variety of stories even though they shared similar themes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Cursing, Abandonment, Bullying, Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Minor: War, Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Violence, Colonisation, Animal death, Classism, and Infertility
magpie4's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a much need anthology and a very personal read for me. That alone, necessitates 3 stars. I’ve never felt so normalized about my own life. I was just amazed by the collection of authors, all adult transracial adoptees, who felt so adamant for the need for a book like this. Where a fellow adoptee sought out a voice like mine to tell story. While I had a universal affinity for these stories and characters, I learned about many experiences outside my own, which is worth the read.
With personal bias out of the way, I had a huge critique with this anthology. The writing was juvenile. It’s branded as a YA anthology, yet middle grade seems more accurate. The themes and conflicts were spoon fed to the reader making little room for nuance and inferences. Every story was pretty short, which did not help the character development. Some stories were stronger than others. However, despite the gripes, I cherish this collection, if not for its prose and writing, but as proof that someone values our voices and experiences.
With personal bias out of the way, I had a huge critique with this anthology. The writing was juvenile. It’s branded as a YA anthology, yet middle grade seems more accurate. The themes and conflicts were spoon fed to the reader making little room for nuance and inferences. Every story was pretty short, which did not help the character development. Some stories were stronger than others. However, despite the gripes, I cherish this collection, if not for its prose and writing, but as proof that someone values our voices and experiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt
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