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alisonbrookins's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Racism
aliannavelezzzz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
whatisrubyreading's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
absolutive's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse
namizaela's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was a beautiful book. James Baldwin is an amazing writer and I feel like I can't appreciate him enough, like it would take multiple rereads to discover how wonderfully he crafted this novel. He handles the theme of racism without shielding the reader from the flaws of the white liberals in the book, and without painting the black characters as people who can do no wrong. Each character interacts with their race, gender, and sexuality in their own unique way.
His writing style is also really beautiful, as shown by the quote above. Baldwin makes his prose poetic and lyrical, while still communicating his messages clearly. This book is incredible, and the only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the slow, meandering pace.
Graphic: Suicide, Racism, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse