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frances_frances's reviews
286 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What I didn't love about this book was the ending and the relatively flat character that Javier is. I saw a review from another reader that pointed out how Boryga could have made an even bigger impact by taking the time to let Javier's real, actual trauma be explored. Javier's entire story and personality is his white-guilt-trauma-porn grift and as the book goes on, he becomes increasingly flat as a character. A lot more could've been achieved by contrasting the made up stories with the actual trauma/difficulties Javier faced but seems to care little about (witnessing his dad's murder, struggling to keep up with the rigors of college, etc). I almost feel like Gio is more fully fleshed out than Javier.
The ending was too after school special for me. Javier has his come to Jesus moment and gains deep, valuable insights about his bad choices and what he's learned from his experience. The book wraps up so quickly and cleanly that it was a a bit of a letdown.
All that being said, the writing is sharp and engaging and there's some interesting commentary. I found this book to be entertaining and say it's worth the read.
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
3.75
PROS:
- Upholds Montessori's view of the child as inherently good and worthy of genuine respect from adults (takes small persons seriously, sees them as legitimate human beings)
- Points out many ways we unintentionally impede the development of infants and young children in a nonjudgmental way (seeks to educate, not blame)
- Advocates for inexpensive, simple, and practical materials rather than manufactured toys or high end equipment
CONS
- Sometimes contradicts itself, further clarification needed on some subjects
- Dated language/perspective around gender and intimate relationships (puts hetero, married parents as the default and ignores a lot of lived experience and variation in how children are conceived, born, and raised)
- Positions breast/bodyfeeding as the only good way to feed a baby (ignores the vast number of parents and caregivers who are, for what ever reason, unable to feed in this way)
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Domestic abuse
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Stalking
- 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? It's complicated
2.5
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Transphobia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Dysphoria
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry