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sarahkoreilly's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
puppypossum's review
2.0
An immediately relatable and human story of what it means to be and come out as gay, Arthur and Teddy started out strong and was a book I really wanted to love. However as the book reached around the half-way mark, specifically the Christmas Dinner, I just found that I was struggling to continue as it just felt like it was a suffering carousel.
My first sign of worry was when the granddad casually flagged that he tried to off himself in his twenties due to gay conversion therapy. While an immensely tender moment and a way for Teddy to think about how making a step like trying to make up with Ben was ultimately a small step, it was the first of several moments that just felt like a way of using the suffering of gay people as entertainment, with the death from suicide of minor character Sophie being incredibly shocking and personally triggering. While I do know that these events happen and have had friends in similar though less "successful" situations, it just feels like stuff like this never ends. I really wanted to like the book and I really truly loved the characters, but for gods sakes just give them a break. Let them have more victories, more up moments between all the downs. I know there are plenty, but a character's low moment doesn't need to be several low moments all in a row, and Teddy getting kicked out after coming out as gay, a few weeks after a woman he knew lost her life due to the pressures around being gay, by his mother who celebrated his article about said woman, just felt cruel.
Yet, I do acknowledge that life is indeed cruel, I just do not wish to read about endless personally relatable cruelties, of the similar experience of being a trans woman. I hope everyone who wants to read this book enjoys it, but I just lost of ability to do so myself.
My first sign of worry was when the granddad casually flagged that he tried to off himself in his twenties due to gay conversion therapy. While an immensely tender moment and a way for Teddy to think about how making a step like trying to make up with Ben was ultimately a small step, it was the first of several moments that just felt like a way of using the suffering of gay people as entertainment, with the death from suicide of minor character Sophie being incredibly shocking and personally triggering. While I do know that these events happen and have had friends in similar though less "successful" situations, it just feels like stuff like this never ends. I really wanted to like the book and I really truly loved the characters, but for gods sakes just give them a break. Let them have more victories, more up moments between all the downs. I know there are plenty, but a character's low moment doesn't need to be several low moments all in a row, and Teddy getting kicked out after coming out as gay, a few weeks after a woman he knew lost her life due to the pressures around being gay, by his mother who celebrated his article about said woman, just felt cruel.
Yet, I do acknowledge that life is indeed cruel, I just do not wish to read about endless personally relatable cruelties, of the similar experience of being a trans woman. I hope everyone who wants to read this book enjoys it, but I just lost of ability to do so myself.
jjfey's review against another edition
Didn't find myself with any desire to keep reading
amelievonzeisig's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Homophobia, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Suicide attempt and Death of parent
rmarcin's review
3.0
Arthur at 79 comes out to his family. His daughter is horrified. Her son, Teddy (21), also comes out - to his grandfather, but is afraid to tell his mother.
Teddy also works as an intern writing articles, and is starting to have feelings for his colleague, Ben. However, Ben does something that Teddy explicitly asked him not to do, which causes issues.
Both Arthur and Teddy have to work through new relationships, family and friends and dealing with reactions to their announcement. They both look to find true love.
Cute story, but the ending was a bit predictable. It does give a good glimpse into how people are treated differently once other people know they are gay. They didn't change - but your attitude did.
Teddy also works as an intern writing articles, and is starting to have feelings for his colleague, Ben. However, Ben does something that Teddy explicitly asked him not to do, which causes issues.
Both Arthur and Teddy have to work through new relationships, family and friends and dealing with reactions to their announcement. They both look to find true love.
Cute story, but the ending was a bit predictable. It does give a good glimpse into how people are treated differently once other people know they are gay. They didn't change - but your attitude did.
leni1306's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
3.0
ajane13's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
silver_lining125's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
2.5