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tanner9905's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, and War
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
milesjmoran's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
dozicasey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, Suicide, and War
samvgass's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and War
hannahchristine's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, and War
annijk's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Death and Homophobia
johnreadsthings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The beginning (its humorous encounter) and the ending (the years after) reminded me a bit of Invisible Furies, but The Absolutist is an original story in itself. It had its own, different strength that the aforementioned novel, and though written by the same writer, seemed unfair to compare so I won't and will stop doing so. What I loved so much about The Absolutist is Boyne's control and incredible storytelling. There is a mystery that has been dangling and hidden just about from the readers, but Boyne didn't reveal it until the most heightened moment, until the right time, that is, where its effect, as was possibly expected and hoped for, gut-punched me so hard I had to close the book. Instead, he unfolded Tristan's story and of the people around him, layer by layer, until what remain are these incredibly created characters that would take a whole lot time until they are forgotten or not thought of.
Graphic: Homophobia and War
wildflowerragdoll's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
hannahmayreads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even on this second reading, I am no less shocked, appalled, confused, angry, saddened... this is a brilliant and confronting book. Again, it was no less immersive on a second reading than it was the first time around. The breaks between time shifts are sudden, like the moment the surface breaks when you come up for air.
**February 2013**
This is not the book you think it will be. It is so much better! This a new perspective on a familiar tale, constantly developing and surprising; keeping you engaged and enthralled as the story takes shape.
And oh does it hurt to read some of it. Some sentences are a slap in the face or a punch to the stomach; some images are so tragic they are beyond belief. And yet you know it would all be true for some poor soul, for those were the times. Like Boyne's The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, you will be shocked, heartbroken and relieved all at the same time. Again, Boyne makes a tragedy beautifully poignant.
This book is so unexpected and exceptionally written that anyone would find it hard to put down. Just be prepared, for there is an ending not entirely happy (and yet not unhappy either) and it will shock you beyond tears.
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, and Grief