raythecatlover's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Self harm, Alcohol, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
abby_reads_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Addiction, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sprucewillow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I appreciate the reviews that said the book was funny and depicted mental health issues without being depressing, which holds true. The humor wasn't super ha-ha funny but instead witty. The tone of writing felt accurate to the voice of a 15 year-old boy. Craig's relation to his peers were also accurate to his age. As much as I hated reading it, his innermost thoughts about school, girls, and other characters in the book also felt realistic. Particularly his worries about school hit hard because I know I had some of those same thoughts when I was 15.
I have several gripes about this book that kept me from enjoying it. Spoilers from now on:
Spoiler
- Craig has MASSIVE main-character syndrome. I know he's literally the main character, but it got ridiculous. You have one suicidal moment, then get checked into the psychiatric hospital? I mean, good on him for getting help instead of waiting for years like the majority of people with clinical depression do. You get to make out with two girls in your hospital room? Did this hospital have no safety regulations? Visitors can wander everywhere? I've never been in a psychiatric hospital so I don't know how this works.- The characters were flat, particularly the women. There is no difference in Nia and Noelle besides their names, described appearances, and their relation to Craig (hot girl who goes to his school versus other hot girl who is also in the hospital). I hate that I read several pages worth of descriptions of what they were wearing, their tits, their thighs, etc. I don't think Craig's mother and sister ever shared a significant interaction. This book does not pass the Bechdel test, lol. All the prominent female characters were there to serve Craig in some way. Again, main-character syndrome.
- Noelle seemed particularly useless. Her only use in the plot was to be the next love interest once Nia was out of the picture. Craig and Noelle's relationship was in general just annoying to read about. It was a terribly convenient romance.
- The depiction of mental illness, disordered eating, etc. was very compelling in the first two parts of the book (why those were my favorite sections). Once Craig gets into the hospital, all his symptoms seem to disappear. All that happens while he's in the hospital is fussing over girls and talking to the other hospital residents. I suppose it makes sense, because once his primary stressor cannot bother him (school) then of course his symptoms would lessen.
- Overall this story could have been condensed. 400+ pages was a drag to get through.
RIP Ned Vizzini
Graphic: Mental illness, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage, Racism, and Alcohol
kimrice992's review
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Alcoholism
Moderate: War
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Addiction, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Miscarriage, Drug use, and Fatphobia
chrissy_booknook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism
rosietoast's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Transphobia, Cursing, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Self harm, and Vomit
littlefox1322's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Eating disorder, Medical content, Drug use, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Classism, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Deadnaming
Minor: Transphobia, Miscarriage, Outing, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, and Homophobia
kaylaannsreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Self harm
ishouldbereading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't get the hype it got/is getting, didn't live up to my expectations.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cursing, Toxic friendship, Self harm, and Sexual assault
anniereads221's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Deadnaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia