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lmkennedy's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked this and thought it had so much potential, the racial and gender politics in the south were super interesting but there wasn’t enough tension, everything just resolved too easily.
mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
A strong historical fiction set in Atlanta, Georgia during the Reconstruction era, from the perspective of Jo Kuan. Sometimes the writing seemed stilted, and the ending seemed a little too perfect/convenient, but interesting characters and story line.
kuporeads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
caroline_slaughter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
madelinelurene's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
thebakersbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I appreciate the inclusion of Jewish people! The author didn't have to do that but did so thoughtfully and even humorously.
yogamom3452's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
rgoodhart's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t really know what to make of this when I started it. I’m not good at visualising what I read, and I think that made it hard to get a feel for what was going on. I’m still somewhat bemused by the underground home Jo and Old Gin live in.
I was, of course, aware of segregation in the southern states, but had never really thought about how Chinese people might have been treated.
There are some delightful and clever turns of phrase throughout this book, not just in Miss Sweetie’s advice and I enjoyed those. The voice of Miss Sweetie called to mind the character of Whistledown in Bridgerton…at least in my mind! Secret women writers commenting on society; though there the similarity ends!
What an eclectic mixture of details is contained in these pages: hat making, horse riding, suffragists, segregation, printing, extortion, deceit, arrogance… there just so much to take in!
I enjoyed this very much.
I was, of course, aware of segregation in the southern states, but had never really thought about how Chinese people might have been treated.
There are some delightful and clever turns of phrase throughout this book, not just in Miss Sweetie’s advice and I enjoyed those. The voice of Miss Sweetie called to mind the character of Whistledown in Bridgerton…at least in my mind! Secret women writers commenting on society; though there the similarity ends!
What an eclectic mixture of details is contained in these pages: hat making, horse riding, suffragists, segregation, printing, extortion, deceit, arrogance… there just so much to take in!
I enjoyed this very much.
tinky47's review against another edition
5.0
Jo Kuan is a young Chinese girl living in 1870’s Atlanta, where Chinese have been brought in for labor, but treated with discrimination. In a time where Chinese have no rights, Jo and her adoptive grandfather live hidden in an unused basement of a newspaper printing office, and work for local wealthy merchants. When the newspaper they live under is about to go out of business, Jo decided to secretly send in letters as an Agony Aunt, an advice columnist under the name of Miss Sweetie. Her columns stir up the town and bring to light many discrimination among the community for women, people of color, and the poor. Wonderfully written story about how people can justify unkind behavior, with twisted logic, and the power of the written word.