ailbhe's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
becjtors's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
readsnjava's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this was so good. Realistic portrait of life in Derry circa 1981. I’m about the same age as the characters and reading about the music they were into really took me back. So glad I read this while in Northern Ireland.
boekenhonger's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The second half had a much better pace than the first half, but lost half of its characters (only to drop in again in the last couple of pages). The characters felt a bit flat, but the story was engaging enough to overlook that.
blackrose980's review against another edition
4.0
As the end of the school year approaches, a group of friends need to decide what to do with their lives. But through their local hangout, music and drugs, the future seems far away enough to not worry about.
A friend is killed and choices are made when a member of the group takes matters into their own hands.
This was a harrowing and unsettling read that was a slow burn to start with, but was extremely enjoyable!
A friend is killed and choices are made when a member of the group takes matters into their own hands.
This was a harrowing and unsettling read that was a slow burn to start with, but was extremely enjoyable!
caiomhe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Spoiler
Spoiler
sarahbissett's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marykarayel12's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lena_kacp's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a typical book for me - I tend to stick to the 'small communities where things seem perfect but people are actually crumbling yet no one knows about it until all secrets come out ( think Little Fires Everywhere, anything by Liane Moriarty). Music Love Drugs War was a gift from my Dad bought at a local second-hand book store.
Once I got through the rather slow start I finished it in basically one sitting. One word that comes to me when I think of this book is tender- yes there's a war going on, and friends are dying and the everyone's world is turned upside down, yet the defining moments of this book are hushed conversations or hugs between mourning friends. As someone of similar age to the main characters, I found myself wondering what would I do if I lived in Derry in 1981. Would I go to the streets or would I hope things blow over and tried and ignore the conflict right outside my door? It made me reflect on the current political situation - how long can we stay silent in the face of division and conflict?
Going back to the book I would highly recommend reading it as it's a warm and striking coming of age tale.
And if you enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend checking out Derry Girls, a TV sitcom.
Once I got through the rather slow start I finished it in basically one sitting. One word that comes to me when I think of this book is tender- yes there's a war going on, and friends are dying and the everyone's world is turned upside down, yet the defining moments of this book are hushed conversations or hugs between mourning friends. As someone of similar age to the main characters, I found myself wondering what would I do if I lived in Derry in 1981. Would I go to the streets or would I hope things blow over and tried and ignore the conflict right outside my door? It made me reflect on the current political situation - how long can we stay silent in the face of division and conflict?
Going back to the book I would highly recommend reading it as it's a warm and striking coming of age tale.
And if you enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend checking out Derry Girls, a TV sitcom.
lenakacp's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a typical book for me - I tend to stick to the 'small communities where things seem perfect but people are actually crumbling yet no one knows about it until all secrets come out ( think Little Fires Everywhere, anything by Liane Moriarty). Music Love Drugs War was a gift from my Dad bought at a local second-hand book store.
Once I got through the rather slow start I finished it in basically one sitting. One word that comes to me when I think of this book is tender- yes there's a war going on, and friends are dying and the everyone's world is turned upside down, yet the defining moments of this book are hushed conversations or hugs between mourning friends. As someone of similar age to the main characters, I found myself wondering what would I do if I lived in Derry in 1981. Would I go to the streets or would I hope things blow over and tried and ignore the conflict right outside my door? It made me reflect on the current political situation - how long can we stay silent in the face of division and conflict?
Going back to the book I would highly recommend reading it as it's a warm and striking coming of age tale.
And if you enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend checking out Derry Girls, a TV sitcom.
Once I got through the rather slow start I finished it in basically one sitting. One word that comes to me when I think of this book is tender- yes there's a war going on, and friends are dying and the everyone's world is turned upside down, yet the defining moments of this book are hushed conversations or hugs between mourning friends. As someone of similar age to the main characters, I found myself wondering what would I do if I lived in Derry in 1981. Would I go to the streets or would I hope things blow over and tried and ignore the conflict right outside my door? It made me reflect on the current political situation - how long can we stay silent in the face of division and conflict?
Going back to the book I would highly recommend reading it as it's a warm and striking coming of age tale.
And if you enjoyed this book, I would highly recommend checking out Derry Girls, a TV sitcom.