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ajkhn's review
5.0
This one really messed me up! The back bills it as a story of toxic masculinity, which is really the best frame to read it: Omar isn't a hero, or an antihero, he's just a guy who happens to be telling a story.
That said, he's a tremendous fuckup so it can be a bit mysterious for a while what we're leading to. But the last 40-50 pages is just tremendous. It's one of those books I wish I could've read 15 years ago. I hope you read it, too.
That said, he's a tremendous fuckup so it can be a bit mysterious for a while what we're leading to. But the last 40-50 pages is just tremendous. It's one of those books I wish I could've read 15 years ago. I hope you read it, too.
pastavoyage's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I found this book to be primarily an examination of grief and loss. It reminded me of the fugue state that intense mourning can bring on. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
library_explorer's review
I would like to try this one again, I am just not in the right headspace for it right now
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Xenophobia
mags13's review
2.0
2.5
I'm always excited to read Canadian authors, and especially books based in Canada, so I was really hoping to love this book. Unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me.
I actually somewhat enjoyed the writing style, and wasn't too bothered by the lack of quotation marks or the fact that the person speaking isn't often identified (you won't find any "said Omar" in this book), although I could see how that would be confusing for readers. I feel like this added to the disconnection within the story, which could be good or bad depending on the reader.
The story is kind of this slow, meandering, painful experience. We see how hurt Omar is, how his grief is manifesting in all of these really self-destructive behaviours. I thought this was a very interesting concept, but unfortunately in the end I think I just found this book to be a bit boring. I had to read this book in several sittings, mostly because I found myself getting distracted so easily. I actually even put it down for about a month before deciding to continue. I think I understand what this book was trying to do, but it just didn't do enough to "save" the book for me.
I'm always excited to read Canadian authors, and especially books based in Canada, so I was really hoping to love this book. Unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me.
I actually somewhat enjoyed the writing style, and wasn't too bothered by the lack of quotation marks or the fact that the person speaking isn't often identified (you won't find any "said Omar" in this book), although I could see how that would be confusing for readers. I feel like this added to the disconnection within the story, which could be good or bad depending on the reader.
The story is kind of this slow, meandering, painful experience. We see how hurt Omar is, how his grief is manifesting in all of these really self-destructive behaviours. I thought this was a very interesting concept, but unfortunately in the end I think I just found this book to be a bit boring. I had to read this book in several sittings, mostly because I found myself getting distracted so easily. I actually even put it down for about a month before deciding to continue. I think I understand what this book was trying to do, but it just didn't do enough to "save" the book for me.
snixo048's review
3.0
This was an excellent book and the author captured the effects of disconnection, poverty and toxic masculinity well.
The problem is I don't need more realistic portrayals of toxic masculinity in my life right now. I also feel like nothing int he book really resolved.
The problem is I don't need more realistic portrayals of toxic masculinity in my life right now. I also feel like nothing int he book really resolved.
pamshenanigans's review against another edition
Not for me. DNFed at 60%. I wanted so bad to finish this and just get it over with. But it's just one of those books that I'm sure will send me spiraling to a reading slump again.
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