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discogecko's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, and Abandonment
marleywrites's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Heartbreaking. Beautiful. Reminded me of my own life in a way. This was such a gorgeous novel. I’m so glad I read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
itsjusterika's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first few pages I struggled reading past and I was not sure i would finish, but i came back to read more and ended up loving the book and the tragic ending, The lost first love Philippe will never forget about. (Can't wait to see the movie!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Vomit, and Alcohol
Lost Love you never forget about.alisonfaith426's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Bullying
cami7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying and Abandonment
elioreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This actually made me tear up while I was reading this is a beautifully rendered story with so much heart and emotion at the core
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, and Abandonment
There are frequent references to the AIDS crisis and the effect it had on the POV character and people around him. The third section of the bookdorianr's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Abandonment
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
lie with me is a sparsely written novel that overflows w/ a sense of nostalgia and lost youth, one whose very last paragraph elevates the whole book.
despite the story's relatively short length, besson manages to render his main characters fully dimensional, steeped w/ backstory and illustrating how philippe and thomas - despite their love - could only diverge from one another. we learn abt them prior to their relationship, during and after it as well, and while it might not be too much, what we learn allows us to paint a fuller, clearer picture.
there also isnt a sentence wasted, the prose sparse yet effective. more than being fueled w/ the plot, the novel's instead focused on its impressions and senses, and my fav thing abt it is how besson's able to so accurately, succinctly, and precisely capture the sense of lost youth and nostalgia - tinged w/ a lil regret - that so pervade the book. i couldnt help being startled or a lil in awe often while reading, thinking "yes! thats exactly how it feels," all the while relievedly reveling in the fact that im not alone in my sentiments. the metaphor and imagery are sublime as well.
while i cant decide whether it's a good or bad thing that this book doesnt hit me too hard in the feels - except for that last letter-form paragraph which nails me like a hammer, god - what i appreciate abt this novel above all else is its reflections and sense of feeling, how it so perfectly encapsulates nostalgia, youth, and regret. i recommend this to those who doesnt mind character over plot.
despite the story's relatively short length, besson manages to render his main characters fully dimensional, steeped w/ backstory and illustrating how philippe and thomas - despite their love - could only diverge from one another. we learn abt them prior to their relationship, during and after it as well, and while it might not be too much, what we learn allows us to paint a fuller, clearer picture.
there also isnt a sentence wasted, the prose sparse yet effective. more than being fueled w/ the plot, the novel's instead focused on its impressions and senses, and my fav thing abt it is how besson's able to so accurately, succinctly, and precisely capture the sense of lost youth and nostalgia - tinged w/ a lil regret - that so pervade the book. i couldnt help being startled or a lil in awe often while reading, thinking "yes! thats exactly how it feels," all the while relievedly reveling in the fact that im not alone in my sentiments. the metaphor and imagery are sublime as well.
while i cant decide whether it's a good or bad thing that this book doesnt hit me too hard in the feels - except for that last letter-form paragraph which nails me like a hammer, god - what i appreciate abt this novel above all else is its reflections and sense of feeling, how it so perfectly encapsulates nostalgia, youth, and regret. i recommend this to those who doesnt mind character over plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Death, Vomit, and Death of parent