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uselesspirateraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
lizzye33's review against another edition
- 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
It is the kind of book that lets you dream and romanticize life despite the hardship and brings out the enduring nature of imagination and innocent perception. We all need more of that. My grandmother would have loved to share this story with me. It is perfectly similar to some of the style of stories she shared with me when I was young before she passed, and I hope she experienced this book as well. Some of the content is very dark, especially for children who may know what their experiences are like firsthand. Still, I think even having known touches of Sarah's experiences, it is beautiful nonetheless. I was much like her as a girl, and though I felt that I could not share my imagination or perspective very closely with that of Sarah, as Sarah does through the book, it is beautiful and reminded me of myself in a very different time. It is a lovely gift all around to read this book.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation
jstar1's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
justanotherisi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
In short, it's not a bad story but I definitely didn't like it. Pushing aside the clear issues of classism, racism, and body shaming from 100 years ago - this story just didn't resonate with me. Sarah is continually put through the seven levels of hell and is such a perfect character she carries on with unflinching determination. I also found it SO creepy that the choice was made to have a grown man creep into her bedroom to bestow gifts on her. This book has the logic of a fairytale and lacks the charm of them.
Also justice for Becky because she deserved more than just becoming a paid maid at the end.
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Classism
jfield351's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying and Slavery
Minor: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Racism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
karenaerts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Racism