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l1ttle_f0x's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
calicat42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
monalyisha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Swyler describes her own book as being “difficult to explain: a dual narrative in two time periods, an abundance of plot threads, circus, tarot, drowning, horseshoe crabs, a house falling off a cliff, all as told by a reclusive librarian.”
I know this book isn’t for everyone but it was absolutely for me. I love Erika Swyler’s writing, her sensibilities. Others have complained about the pacing and I could see how that might be an issue for readers less taken with the whole of the reading experience; it was definitely slower in certain parts (an ungenerous sort might say “uneven”). Personally, I cannot say how much I enjoyed this heartbreaking and salt-stained novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Murder, and Abandonment
lostwithoutaplan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
It is a fascinating tale that weaves time and family and each unique situation together. The carnival theme was an interesting take as well. 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
erinbrenner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol