Reviews

Close to Home by Michael Magee

Only show reviews with written explanations

readwithkapz's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring sad slow-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

4.0

euangepp's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful reflective

4.0

Sean has returned to Belfast from university in Liverpool and quickly falls back in with old friends and old habits. As Sean desires to move on with his life and make something of himself, we see how how these old habits push him backwards. We see how he navigates his relationship with his mum, his old friends and Mairead - some of these poeple have changed and some haven’t. Over the course of the book we see Sean take ownership of his life and come to terms with things (e.g. his father and his abusive past). Tender and heartfelt, it perfectly encapsulates the suffocation that one can feel in their hometown. Makes me miss Belfast :_(

p_firth's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nias90's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I think initially from the blurb I was expecting this book to be more about Sean & Anthony relationship although that is one of the main themes I wasn’t expecting the story from Sean’s point of view/life as much.

I enjoyed it but wasn’t enchanted by it. I felt like i was waiting for it to get going? For something to happen? I do get the theme was the character development and I did enjoy that but there were parts I was waiting for it to be explored more.

I liked the ended when he hugged his brother and the themes on masculinity etc It just didn’t live up to the reviews I’d read about it.

swenja's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring sad slow-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

It took me a while to get into it. The characters don’t seem that likable in the beginning and I’m not a huge fan of that.

Content Warnings

aloe_v's review against another edition

Go to review page

It just didn't feel like it was going anywhere, and reading other reviews, I discovered this is slice of life, and I decided to stop as I wasn't really in the mood for that.