Reviews tagging 'Gore'

March by Geraldine Brooks

7 reviews

madincrafts's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book is the story of Mr. March, the father in the Little Women novel. Most of the story is told from his perspective and touches on transcendental philosophy, the zeal of Northern abolitionists, the horrors of the Civil War, the treatment of recently enslaved people, and the awful physical and emotional wounds of war. 

The book is very well written and obviously well researched. I really liked the realism of Mr. March’s experiences. Unfortunately, I didn’t like Mr. March very much. He is the insufferable kind of idealist, and I don’t respond well to characters like that. Fortunately, when I was almost sick of him, the book switches to Mrs. March (Marmee’s) POV. I much preferred her outlook on the story, even though it was equally, and realistically, flawed. 

Not everything in the book was perfect, which is why my review isn’t 5 stars. I’m always a little skeptical of a white person writing the experience of African-American slaves. Also, the fact that the March family would have been so closely acquainted with huge names of the time period (Thoreau, Emerson, John Brown, etc.) strains credibility. But overall, this is a great book and well worth the read, especially if you have any interest in American history. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

e_l_thompson's review against another edition

Go to review page

There were graphic descriptions of war along with graphic descriptions of a tongue-in-mouth kiss.  I have a feeling this book will eventually take an entirely unwanted turn. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lexcellent's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

heather_freshparchment's review

Go to review page

dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

melissahawco's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

autumnlpalmer1976's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • 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

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

waytoomanybooks's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The first half of the book was really enjoyable because I found the premise of the novel to be enticing. But as the story went on, the plotlines became more and more convoluted and ridiculous, and the characters became more and more insufferable. By the end of the novel, I didn't have any sympathy for either Robert or Marmee. I would've been more interested to read a book from Brooks' original character, Grace, instead.

Nothing can ruin my childhood love of Little Women, but Brooks' made a valiant attempt.

Spoilers below:

Marmee and Robert March were borne from a solid foundation from both Alcott and Brooks' novels, but their relationship was in ruins by the end of the novel. How and why on earth would someone write something so stupid?
Expand filter menu Content Warnings