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roaming_enn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book! I saw some reviews on here (the Storygraph) about how people thought all the major characters were unlikeable, and I was a bit worried that I might feel the same way. But I didn't! Yes, they all have flaws that may feel unbearable for some readers. Maddie, for instance, is a white cis woman who never had to deal with racism or transphobia or violence, and so she's clueless about a lot of the things and constantly questioning her motives and actions. I think I related to her a little bit, which is why I didn't find her absolutely unbearable. I feel like her thoughts were very much understandable for someone in her situation.
My favorite character was Red, though, and I'm not quite sure why. Every time xe appears on the page, probably from the very first page, I just wanted to keep reading!
I'm not a big romance reader, especially where books that aren't advertised as being romance but where a romance plays a major role in the story. But I loved Maddie's and Red's relationship, and I rooted for them from the beginning.
A poignant metaphor in the end of the book is used by Shayna to describe huge demonstrations vs. the small actions that demonstrators must take everyday. One of the participants asked what the point of their weekly meetings was if only 6 of them attended. Shayna compares the large demonstrations to a mushroom, and the weekly meetings as the mycelium of the mushroom, the things underground that feed and nurture the mushroom. The mushroom can then shoot spores that spread throughout the landscape to give birth to even more mushrooms. Things like the weekly meetings serve to nurture the global need for change, so that once a large demonstration is bound to happen, people will be ready. It's such a good metaphor to describe how large protests can happen seemingly out of nowhere, almost organically, but it is due in part to the everyday work done behind the scenes.
So much of the book is so applicable today. And this is why everyone should be reading it. Anyway, thanks for coming to my rambling TED talk.
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
mikk16's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Drug use, and Suicide
blue_txt's review against another edition
2.0
I've never wanted to experience fictional leftist in-fighting.
I don't enjoy books with thought-experiment based plots, so I knew it wasn't going to be a great read for me. I guess I expected more from the characters since the plot was so paper-thin.
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Classism, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Violence, Suicide, War, Death, Confinement, Racism, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
brigid_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Suicide
decie'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
4.75
Graphic: Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Colonisation, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Death, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Transphobia, Rape, War, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
luckypansy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
theliblairian'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
4.75
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Suicide
miggyfool's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Misogyny, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Gore, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Rape, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Animal death, Physical abuse, War, Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Racism, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Vomit
kmartbooks's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"The Free People's Village" is an extraordinary and transformative book that left a lasting impact on my perspective. This book will live in my brain for years to come. Sim Kern skillfully navigates themes of activism, racial injustice, and the complexities of life in a capitalist society. This powerful narrative delves deep into issues that may be difficult for readers to confront, but it is precisely why every white-cis ally, and indeed everyone, should read this book. The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships is profound. It fearlessly explores shame, white guilt, and the resilience of marginalized communities against overwhelming forces. Through heart-wrenching scenes and thought-provoking discussions, the novel encourages readers to confront uncomfortable truths about our society.
Despite its challenging themes, "The Free People's Village" offers hope and a reminder that even amidst darkness, there is worth in seeking a better world despite overwhelming odds. It emphasizes the importance of showing up for others and using our privilege to uplift those who have less. This book is a rallying cry for change, a call to action, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. "The Free People's Village" is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized communities and a renewed commitment to fight for a more just and equitable world.
Thank you to Netgalley and Levine Querido for the eARC. Thank you to Sim Kern for writing this important and visceral novel; I sobbed like a baby.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Police brutality, and Suicide
Minor: Rape and Transphobia
c0uldyimagine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide and Deadnaming