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m_a_j's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
madamelacy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely gripping story of a man driven by literary ambitions but short on original ideas. Maurice uses his good looks to entrance people with greater story telling talents than him, steals their words then discards them. The denouement is superb.
Highly recommend this book. This is the first John Boyne I’ve read but won’t be my last. Boyne appeared on radio 4’s Open Book, talking about this book. It’s well worth a listen.
Highly recommend this book. This is the first John Boyne I’ve read but won’t be my last. Boyne appeared on radio 4’s Open Book, talking about this book. It’s well worth a listen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Vomit
mijtje's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
TL;DR
Story good, characters bad
Boyne is very good at taking a small idea and creating it in something great and unique. This book is a good example. He managed to get me so pissed at the characters that I had to put the book away for a few days. Good work!
It’s amusing and managed to keep my attention. But it’s also a little predictable when you know that Boyne likes drama. The characters are also upsettingly one dimensional. For most, their personality can be summarised in one word. The main character was the most frustrating; I couldn’t find any redeeming qualities whatsoever, which made reading the book feel unrealistic and infuriating. I get that Boyne wants me to hate him, but do it in a smarter way. No one is this horrible.
Story good, characters bad
Boyne is very good at taking a small idea and creating it in something great and unique. This book is a good example. He managed to get me so pissed at the characters that I had to put the book away for a few days. Good work!
It’s amusing and managed to keep my attention. But it’s also a little predictable when you know that Boyne likes drama. The characters are also upsettingly one dimensional. For most, their personality can be summarised in one word. The main character was the most frustrating; I couldn’t find any redeeming qualities whatsoever, which made reading the book feel unrealistic and infuriating. I get that Boyne wants me to hate him, but do it in a smarter way. No one is this horrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage