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katieb94's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Firstly, thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this in exchange for and honest (but late) review. I do feel I wasn’t the right audience for this book however, it was a queer coming of age story and I really couldn’t connect with the characters at all.
I’m also not sure if it’s semi-autobiographical or not.
Another issue I have is with the layout, I just get confused by novels that don’t have speech marks for anything spoken. Even though it was indicated I still
got lost.
The main part of the story is told to use by the writer/narrator as he tells us about his relationship with a boy, Thomas, whilst at high school- including the details of their sex lives too. I liked this part of the book best and seeing their relationship develop was nice to read.
It felt very obsolete though when it came to their adult hood. They drifted away, didn’t contact each other and it isn’t until the narrator meets Thomas’ son that we have any idea what happened after.
It takes a surprisingly sad turn towards the end that I didn’t see coming and there’s no direction it’s going to happen.
3/5 stars.
Sweet little queer romance book.
I’m also not sure if it’s semi-autobiographical or not.
Another issue I have is with the layout, I just get confused by novels that don’t have speech marks for anything spoken. Even though it was indicated I still
got lost.
The main part of the story is told to use by the writer/narrator as he tells us about his relationship with a boy, Thomas, whilst at high school- including the details of their sex lives too. I liked this part of the book best and seeing their relationship develop was nice to read.
It felt very obsolete though when it came to their adult hood. They drifted away, didn’t contact each other and it isn’t until the narrator meets Thomas’ son that we have any idea what happened after.
It takes a surprisingly sad turn towards the end that I didn’t see coming and there’s no direction it’s going to happen.
3/5 stars.
Sweet little queer romance book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia
risemini's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
connorkuj's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief
molly_kate's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
oceanebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really didn't expect to almost cry just by reading these 140 pages...
This book definitely reached all my expectations. It was stunning, and gripping and so, so sad and almost tragic in a way. The language wasn't poetic, it was short and "plain", no metaphors, no excessive talking about feelings or details about this and that. And that was fine, like I honestly didn't think I'd like it as much as I did in that aspect. It was different from what I usually love - poetic words that come together and form a stream, a river of emotions and thoughts and actions and all those things in between. But in this case, it really suited the story. I do wish the author had expanded the love story a bit more and show how Thomas also really falls in love with Philippe (because at least to me he really is). I'm also not entirely sure how much of reality and real experiences played into the writing into this book, as I heard and read some things. Looking at the ending I hope it's not too many...
Though the language was, as I said, plain, there were some really beautiful passages and sentences.
examples: "All of a sudden I see a sort of admiration return to his face, but it's painful admiration; what he likes about me is also what keeps me seperate from him."
"I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again."
In my opinion the message of the book goes beyond "first love", one really gets to see the struggles many homosexual and queer people in general have when it comes not only to finding but also accepting and being accepted in their identety. And how it can differ from person to person.
Also, I didn't expect that ending, like I really did not. And when I reached the last sentence, Philippe Besson had done a marvellous job: I'd just gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, was on the verge of tears and my heart was broken into tiny little pieces. If you want a story with a happy ending, go read another book, not this one. But who knew I'd enjoy getting crushed over and over again as much as I did? 100% recommend.
This book definitely reached all my expectations. It was stunning, and gripping and so, so sad and almost tragic in a way. The language wasn't poetic, it was short and "plain", no metaphors, no excessive talking about feelings or details about this and that. And that was fine, like I honestly didn't think I'd like it as much as I did in that aspect. It was different from what I usually love - poetic words that come together and form a stream, a river of emotions and thoughts and actions and all those things in between. But in this case, it really suited the story. I do wish the author had expanded the love story a bit more and show how Thomas also really falls in love with Philippe (because at least to me he really is). I'm also not entirely sure how much of reality and real experiences played into the writing into this book, as I heard and read some things. Looking at the ending I hope it's not too many...
Though the language was, as I said, plain, there were some really beautiful passages and sentences.
"I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again."
In my opinion the message of the book goes beyond "first love", one really gets to see the struggles many homosexual and queer people in general have when it comes not only to finding but also accepting and being accepted in their identety. And how it can differ from person to person.
Also, I didn't expect that ending, like I really did not. And when I reached the last sentence, Philippe Besson had done a marvellous job: I'd just gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, was on the verge of tears and my heart was broken into tiny little pieces. If you want a story with a happy ending, go read another book, not this one. But who knew I'd enjoy getting crushed over and over again as much as I did? 100% recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
q_bert13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a memoir of the author's high school years that tell the story of a young 80's romance. Its an absolutely wonderful read and a tear jerker at times. This is the first book I've read by Philippe Besson, but it won't be the last
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Suicide and Abandonment
ilana_pop's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Heart? Broken. It's wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Miscarriage, Vomit, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
chinhe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
like i said on GR it couldve been good. the ending was so abrubt, and so lacking
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
whitelotusreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Captivating prose and absolutely heart wrenching story of a secret first love. I hadn’t expected to tear up while reading this. Though it was relatively short, it still took me a week to finish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide