sollicitus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nuggetworldpeace's review
4.0
Reminds me a little of the concisely emotional, desperate, and depressive kind of writing I associate with Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion. There are probably more relevant people to draw comparisons to, but frankly, I haven't read something like this since I was younger, and it mostly resonated with the irrationality and anger of my first love gone awry, which was also when I was younger, so...
There's angst, but I think this short book captures it quite compellingly and at a pace that doesn't leave you feeling like you need to throw its characters (via the book) at a wall for the poor choices they make.
There's angst, but I think this short book captures it quite compellingly and at a pace that doesn't leave you feeling like you need to throw its characters (via the book) at a wall for the poor choices they make.
jeanettegtf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
whatamydid's review
4.0
I knew very little of this book before I went into it and it’s a very different read from what I would usually go for but, I’m glad I picked this up. It’s a raw account of navigating sexuality, love and heartbreak. When you know someone isn’t good for you but you can’t help but stick around. I really enjoyed the writing format. The short bursts of prose and the language and tone used.
I hope to read more by this author
I hope to read more by this author
bookishsapphicshay's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Addiction
Moderate: Mental illness, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Vomit and Biphobia
superdilettante's review
4.0
I really liked this slender volume. Caldwell has an easy narrative style that I find compulsively readable, and although I (as a middle-aged married lady with a boring past) felt a little like I was indulging in relationship-lifestyle tourism, I would still recommend it to others. Now my colleague at the bookplace is really going to pigeonhole me as a memoir-lover.
arrasisabell's review
2.0
I read this book because a friend recommended it to me without having actually read it herself yet.
This is not my usual read which probably doesn’t help my opinion of it very much, sorry friend, I tried!
Did not like Finn or the main girl very much, I felt like the story dragged on for hours and each page turn took a year off my life. Very odd comments were made about the mother. The writing style was not to my taste.
However, I do think the portrayal of the relationship was done well and I can appreciate the intent of the book.
This is not my usual read which probably doesn’t help my opinion of it very much, sorry friend, I tried!
Did not like Finn or the main girl very much, I felt like the story dragged on for hours and each page turn took a year off my life. Very odd comments were made about the mother. The writing style was not to my taste.
However, I do think the portrayal of the relationship was done well and I can appreciate the intent of the book.
hahah71910's review
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.0