Reviews

There There by Tommy Orange

dellaposta's review against another edition

4.0

The story is told by a variety of narrators, who sometimes have distinct voices and other times feel more like vehicles for the author’s essay-like forays into history, identity, and other topics. I sometimes found that the variety of perspectives made me unable to fully invest in any of them. It’s a short book, so you don’t see that much of any of the main characters, really, and at times it starts to feel like a short story collection rather than a novel. However, the latter part, when all of the characters finally converge, is full of breathtaking writing and brings the book to a beautiful close.

mountaingutz's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

mmnasc's review against another edition

challenging sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

jannarae26's review against another edition

challenging dark informative medium-paced

• 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

4.0

curban's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-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

4.5

mitrabird2010's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Gun violence

mackotterson's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

katekatiekait's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Addiction, Murder, Alcohol, Racism, Violence, Drug use, and Mass/school shootings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Grief, and Genocide

Minor: Physical abuse, Cultural appropriation, Excrement, Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicide, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Car accident

kmartinix's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hannog's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

4.75