ramalam98's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
I think some of this went right over my head, but I really enjoyed what Girl Meets Boy had to say.
At its centre is the idea of myths: the myth of gender, thinness as the ideal beauty standard, and largely the myth created by corporate marketing. I found this last concept in particular incredibly interesting: isn’t the goal of marketing to turn a product into a myth, to sell the myth of this ideal person we will become if we buy the right thing?
It’s also a strong commentary on the attitude towards homosexuality of the time, particularly lesbians. It made for an interesting read looking at it from 2023. The main character’s sister, Imogen, spends an entire section of the book debating with herself about the right words to use, how to be okay with her sister being queer and how to be politically correct.
It’s brought down slightly for me because I did find the writing style a bit inaccessible at times, with entire pages where I really just had no idea what it was trying to say.
At its centre is the idea of myths: the myth of gender, thinness as the ideal beauty standard, and largely the myth created by corporate marketing. I found this last concept in particular incredibly interesting: isn’t the goal of marketing to turn a product into a myth, to sell the myth of this ideal person we will become if we buy the right thing?
It’s also a strong commentary on the attitude towards homosexuality of the time, particularly lesbians. It made for an interesting read looking at it from 2023. The main character’s sister, Imogen, spends an entire section of the book debating with herself about the right words to use, how to be okay with her sister being queer and how to be politically correct.
It’s brought down slightly for me because I did find the writing style a bit inaccessible at times, with entire pages where I really just had no idea what it was trying to say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia
Moderate: Outing and Homophobia
withlivjones's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A modern-day retelling of the story of Iphis and Ianthe set in Inverness in the early noughties that is about love in its many forms and speaking up against injustice. I loved that the stream-of-consciousness style of the narration made this book fairly easy to read and really brought out the personalities of the two sisters who narrate it, and the evolution of their relationship is just as heartwarming and sweet as the romance in the book. Ali Smith also perfectly captures what it is like to grow up surrounded by casual sexism and homophobia and how it can have significant repercussions in later life where it impacts not only one’s opinions of others but also one’s own self esteem. A great read for anyone looking for a beautifully written, low-stakes but nonetheless powerful sapphic romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Minor: Death
opheliafrey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism
nightfell's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I felt like this book had no purpose. It almost had the same feeling as reading a poem when, after finishing it, I appreciate and quickly move on.
This book would have been more enjoyable if the sister's narrative was replaced with Anthea, and we read her narrative the entire time, and the author developed Anthea and Robin's relationship. Because the lack of detail and development meant I didn't care for them, or any character, and everything just became almost meaningless for me.
Although I did enjoy the part when Robin told and retold the story in Ovid's metamorphosis.
There was literally no literary reason for Imogen to have been homophobic. I don't know why that was part of the story, but ok.
The ending was not as gratifying as it could/should have been. I felt like this book was too short to make a lasting impact for me.
This book would have been more enjoyable if the sister's narrative was replaced with Anthea, and we read her narrative the entire time, and the author developed Anthea and Robin's relationship. Because the lack of detail and development meant I didn't care for them, or any character, and everything just became almost meaningless for me.
Although I did enjoy the part when Robin told and retold the story in Ovid's metamorphosis.
There was literally no literary reason for Imogen to have been homophobic. I don't know why that was part of the story, but ok.
The ending was not as gratifying as it could/should have been. I felt like this book was too short to make a lasting impact for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
helen___'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism
jenniferlynnkrohn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcoholism and Eating disorder
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