courtney3141's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
enju_rin's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
leahar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mattyvreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.75
Enthralling, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and raw. I loved this book from start to finish. One of my favorite books I have read this year.
Spoiler
Plus there are really sexy parts. I cannot tell a lie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Slavery, Child death, and Sexual assault
literallymeggs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
blundershelf's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.75
This is essentially a fictional memoir of a young Black gay man in 1980s NYC. Trey was a flawed but very sympathetic and likable character. I found the book to be a bit too heavy-handed at points - everything that happens to Trey is hugely significant and mind-opening. It makes a lot of sense to me that Newson is a TV writer and producer as I often felt the writing was unfolding like a dramatized biopic. All that to say that I think this novel would be great for people who don't know much about the origins of the gay rights movement in the USA, or to anyone wanting a fast-paced read.
venomskyline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alexture's review
What an interesting little book.
I'm not sure how I feel about it, really - probably because I enjoy reading memoirs, and reading a "fake memoir" makes me feel a bit icky. But for those who have always struggled to bridge the gap between fiction and nonfiction, this might be your perfect introduction.
The protagonist was interesting, the way the author weaved in so many historical details and figures (with instructive footnotes for each of them) and the excellent story made for a really good read, even though I didn't vibe so much with the format.
ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
Compelling story of a young Black gay man who discovers his path to leadership & resistance during the AIDS epidemic.
sagittariusreads_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0