sam_alex04's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gabicalvo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
missoliviareadsbooks's review
5.0
Ooooooohhh the POWER of this book!!
So stunningly written, so emotively impactful and so SO important when, despite the book being set in the 1990s, there are so many topics that are still so relevant and issues that are still happening today.
As a child of the 1990s, I adored all the references - they totally took me back! The cast of supporting characters were so wonderful, especially Beth and utter ICON Mrs C!!
I also thank Simon James Green for all the Library/Librarian love ❤️❤️❤️
One of my favourite reads of 2023 so far!
So stunningly written, so emotively impactful and so SO important when, despite the book being set in the 1990s, there are so many topics that are still so relevant and issues that are still happening today.
As a child of the 1990s, I adored all the references - they totally took me back! The cast of supporting characters were so wonderful, especially Beth and utter ICON Mrs C!!
I also thank Simon James Green for all the Library/Librarian love ❤️❤️❤️
One of my favourite reads of 2023 so far!
coops456's review against another edition
5.0
I wrote a long and emotional review which clearly didn't get saved. Grr. Suffice it to say that I'm a gay child of the 80s and this book resonated with me so deeply that it's hard to put into words again.
It puts me right back in the late 80s in ways that are sometimes triggering but I just feel SEEN. The joy of first love, the fear of discovery. Even [b:Dance on My Grave|21094974|Dance on My Grave (Dance)|Aidan Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394390389l/21094974._SY75_.jpg|467880]Dance On My Grave, which I read back then and still have a copy of. That Simon James Green has said this is a fictionalised version of his actual experiences makes me realise how lucky I was to have left school and be at 6th form college when Section 28 actually took effect; I hadn’t thought about how it would have engendered an even more hostile environment. My mind is somewhat blown, to be honest!
Books were my escape and my lifeline but I was fortunate enough that I didn’t have to rely on libraries, either school or otherwise. I was reading Spare Rib from early teens and discovered the Women’s Press book club for mail order and the wonderful Silver Moon women’s bookshop in Charing Cross Road. I had the economic means and the social freedom to get up to London and to buy titles that would never have graced the shelves of Essex Libraries.
In March 2023 copies of this book were delivered to all secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea as part of Jacqson Diego Story Emporium's "Book Elves" initiative.
It puts me right back in the late 80s in ways that are sometimes triggering but I just feel SEEN. The joy of first love, the fear of discovery. Even [b:Dance on My Grave|21094974|Dance on My Grave (Dance)|Aidan Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394390389l/21094974._SY75_.jpg|467880]Dance On My Grave, which I read back then and still have a copy of. That Simon James Green has said this is a fictionalised version of his actual experiences makes me realise how lucky I was to have left school and be at 6th form college when Section 28 actually took effect; I hadn’t thought about how it would have engendered an even more hostile environment. My mind is somewhat blown, to be honest!
Books were my escape and my lifeline but I was fortunate enough that I didn’t have to rely on libraries, either school or otherwise. I was reading Spare Rib from early teens and discovered the Women’s Press book club for mail order and the wonderful Silver Moon women’s bookshop in Charing Cross Road. I had the economic means and the social freedom to get up to London and to buy titles that would never have graced the shelves of Essex Libraries.
In March 2023 copies of this book were delivered to all secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea as part of Jacqson Diego Story Emporium's "Book Elves" initiative.
writingqueerfic's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Oh my God. Just, Oh my God!
anniereads221's review
5.0
Fuck this hit me hard in the emotions, especially with the section 28 and the way the world is going at the moment due to it. Like there is hope in this book but fuck it felt like my heart was being ripped from my chest
readingelli's review
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Section 28, book banning,Spoiler
Jamie gets a new ear piercing ripped outmegan_kiwi's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25