Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Glitterland by Alexis Hall

6 reviews

leaf_arrow's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Classism, Self harm, and Mental illness

analenegrace's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

The thing I appreciate most about Alexis Hall is his ability to write completely unlikeable characters but keep you engaged in their story. He is also funny in a way I don't think I fully get because I am American, and god, Alexis Hall is the most British British author to ever British. 

I've read most of his books at this point, and I genuinely don't know if I ever come out of them having loved them, but I also keep wanting to read anything he writes. When I saw this, his earliest book, was getting an expanded rerelease, I figured I'd pick it up; It was so very Alexis Hall in a way I think I've grown to appreciate even though they are very, very wild books to read.

Plot and character-wise, this was sad, hopeful, and kind of lovely. The writing of the Essex accent really had me laughing because it reminded me of reading Harry Styles fanfic in like 2014, I guess, which is when this book was first written...

Lastly, the religious references and comparison were hilarious, and the part where he compared "being a bit mean at a wedding" to Peter denying Jesus Christ had me actually laughing at my desk. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Forced institutionalization and Fatphobia

jbpalumbo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Parts of this book are hard to read, particularly if you have any direct or tangential experience with depression. Nonetheless, it all ends up okay and is a tender love story, which makes the difficult bits thoroughly worthwhile. (The easy, rooted perspective of Darian’s glitter pirate helps too.) The insight into the experience of depression and what it takes to re-establish oneself among the living is particularly important to have depicted in literature and I am glad that Hall has done so here.

As a Hall fan who read Boyfriend Material first, I thoroughly enjoyed the annotations to/extras included in this edition. Though they occupy different worlds, it was fun to see thee bits of Luc and Oliver rooted in Glitterland. Definitely a worthwhile read on multiple levels.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Classism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Drug abuse, Homophobia, and Medical trauma

bonriki's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

This was a touching, and at times heartbreaking, depiction of love and mental illness. Ash suffers from type 1 bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. He’s a successful novelist who struggles to find joy or meaning in his everyday life. One day he meets Darian, a flamboyant model, and what begins as a one night stand becomes something more. 

I loved several aspects of this book, particularly the way Ash’s mental illness was portrayed. I myself have diagnosed major depressive disorder and anxiety and found Ash’s struggles highly relatable. He’s not a perfect person, he can be cowardly and cruel, prickly and judgemental. He often engages in self-sabotage and pushes away the people he cares about. Through all of this, you can see a complex picture of a flawed human being and he is masterfully written. 

Darian is also lovely, there’s far more to him than Ash’s initial (low) impression would lead you to believe. He is steadfast and caring, an optimist who values honesty and loyalty. He and Ash shouldn’t work but they really do, opposites attract and Darian brings out the best in Ash. 

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, Classism, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, and Forced institutionalization

mandaraffe's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Ableism, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Fatphobia and Abandonment

cheye13's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Self harm, Classism, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Alcohol