swellingpotato's review against another edition
5.0
Such a unique point of view yet almost anyone can relate to the protagonist's emotions.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
For the first 3/4 of this book, I didn't like it at all. Something (homework avoidance?) kept me plodding along until the ending, which I liked a lot better than the rest.
John Galardi, high school junior and zine writer, comes from a broken Boston-area home. During the week he lives with his depressed mother, who refuses to touch him, and on weekends he visits his cold selfish father and distributes copies of his zine at the nearby Tower Records. (yeah, the concept of a print zine is kind of dated- if the book were written today it'd probably be a blog). It is in this Tower Records that he meets the brilliant and beautiful Marisol, a fellow zine writer whose work he admires. She writes honestly about her experiences as a Puerto Rican adoptee and a lesbian. They become friends in a wobbly sort of way, exploring writing, music, and becoming honest with each other.
John's parents seemed like parodies of parents and a lot of the gay characters in the book were written like parodies of gay characters. But I still want to read Wittlinger's new book, Parrotfish.
John Galardi, high school junior and zine writer, comes from a broken Boston-area home. During the week he lives with his depressed mother, who refuses to touch him, and on weekends he visits his cold selfish father and distributes copies of his zine at the nearby Tower Records. (yeah, the concept of a print zine is kind of dated- if the book were written today it'd probably be a blog). It is in this Tower Records that he meets the brilliant and beautiful Marisol, a fellow zine writer whose work he admires. She writes honestly about her experiences as a Puerto Rican adoptee and a lesbian. They become friends in a wobbly sort of way, exploring writing, music, and becoming honest with each other.
John's parents seemed like parodies of parents and a lot of the gay characters in the book were written like parodies of gay characters. But I still want to read Wittlinger's new book, Parrotfish.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
John (Gio) has entered the world of Zines. He meets Marisol, one of his favorite zine writers and strikes up a unique relationship with her. Marisol is an out lesbian, but Gio has squishy feelings for her. Marisol demands the truth, but Gio is a world class liar (even to himself).
This book was okay. I feel that teens of this generation may not be able to totally connect to the novel. The zine scene is kinda outdated. It was okay.
This book was okay. I feel that teens of this generation may not be able to totally connect to the novel. The zine scene is kinda outdated. It was okay.
calandra_hudson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
victorien's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It still remains one of the few to this day that I've read more than once; and at the time, it was the first I've read that connected with my own struggle to understand my own sexuality, even if I had yet to confront it.
It certainly isn't the most prolific read, but it's a good read nonetheless.
It certainly isn't the most prolific read, but it's a good read nonetheless.
twiggleyandcompany's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the writing is so lovely that it’s disappointing how unlikable the characters are. like i totally enjoyed reading it. i just hate john.
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
4.0
My friend Beatrice recommended this book to me. THANK YOU BEATRICE. This book really made me think. It's weird because this story-line is so different from everything that I have read, but at the same time, I have seen things like this happen in real life. I loved it. I am going to be picking up the companion ASAP.
Click Here For Full Review
Click Here For Full Review
nyooomu's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very interesting take on YA fiction. The main character is partially convinced that he's gay and befriends a lesbian who writes zines and quickly becomes a much closer friend. I tire easily of boy/girl meets boy/girl and immediately fall in love, so this was an interesting read! Their relationship is based very heavily on trust and and confidentiality and progresses fairly slowly. The MC does end up falling in love with his friend, who vehemently denies his advances and proceeds to move on with her life. The book ends at a sort of cliffhanger, which I was perfectly okay with. It leaves a bit of leeway for their futures, which is really what the story is about. Both the MC and his friend are trying to figure out their lives and relationships and the book wouldn't be as good if the resolution was laid out plainly.