novella42'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
5.0
I turn to the excellent audiobook to get me through hard days.
Spoiler
Today I re-read it on the long road trip to my grandfather's funeral, and had completely forgotten about the scene where A witnesses the funeral of a beloved grandfather. It happened when I was twenty miles away from the church, and the writing was so powerful and the different layers of grief resonated so intensely with me that I started sobbing. (Luckily my partner was driving.)I just... I keep coming back to this book because it keeps meaning more and new and different things to me at different times in my life. I know it's a young adult book, but I'm 37, and was born with a disability. As a kid I would have given anything to have A's blessing/curse. The story of A's life reminds me of the many different facets of human existence, and helps me feel less alone.
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Grief, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Sexism, Stalking, Violence, and Transphobia
Minor: Drug use and Self harm
samg01's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Cursing, Alcohol, Car accident, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Addiction
islejazz'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Dysphoria, Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Fatphobia, Grief, Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia
matheo's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Death
Moderate: Car accident and Misogyny