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sauvageloup's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I just didn't vibe with it, unfortunately.
pros:
- it did pick up at the end, in the last third or so when Sean finally got his life together a bit, and that was satisfying.
- the writing is good, straight forward but creative at times.
- I did feel for Sean.
- it was a different sort of read anyway.
cons:
- it just felt like being on groundhog day for like the whole first half. Sean does the exact same thing of getting drunk and off his head with his mates over and over, and it was just sad and frustrating and boring.
- it felt like a lack of plot to me too, too much aimlessness. I get that that's the character but it was becoming unreadable to me.
so i didn't click with it, though I guess im glad I stuck it out as the bit at the end was the best and it was good to see Sean get himself together.
pros:
- it did pick up at the end, in the last third or so when Sean finally got his life together a bit, and that was satisfying.
- the writing is good, straight forward but creative at times.
- I did feel for Sean.
- it was a different sort of read anyway.
cons:
- it just felt like being on groundhog day for like the whole first half. Sean does the exact same thing of getting drunk and off his head with his mates over and over, and it was just sad and frustrating and boring.
- it felt like a lack of plot to me too, too much aimlessness. I get that that's the character but it was becoming unreadable to me.
so i didn't click with it, though I guess im glad I stuck it out as the bit at the end was the best and it was good to see Sean get himself together.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Grief, and War
ineedmorecoffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, it’s been on my to read list before it was even released! Set in a familiar-to-me Belfast, I was struck by how othered Sean felt in the university area and the academic crowd, and similarly alone in West Belfast back where he grew up. At home nowhere, realising you’ll have to change somehow, watching your old friends move away. A book worth reading.
Moderate: Drug abuse, Violence, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse
sammygoosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
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