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larabezzina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
3.5
This book was enjoyable and a quick read that helped break me out of a reading slump (I finished it in one sitting) however while the story was enjoyable there were aspects of the writing and some coverage of sensitive topics that felt superficial. For example it felt as though the author just googled touristy spots in London and then wrote from that. Furthermore, while some topics like navigating toxic relationships were covered in great depth there were several incidents in the book that seemingly came out of no where such as eating disorders and an instance where the MC is nearly sexually assaulted and were then resolved as though they were trivial which felt insincere, unrealistic and tested my suspension of belief (including the fact that the MC has severe anxiety but still manages to drop everything and move overseas without a solid plan). Still, the book does a fantastic job of representing lgbt young people, is a wonderful story about found family and was rich in musical knowledge that felt very authentic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
lectrixnoctis's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Phil Stamper, who grew up in a rural village near Dayton, Ohio, released "As Far As You'll Take Me" as his second novel. However, you can tell he is no stranger to writing since he has an M.A. in Publishing with Creative Writing from Kingston University.
"As Far As You'll Take Me" is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about finding people who would always stand by your side.
Marty is a seventeen-year-old boy from Kentucky who flys to London with nothing but his oboe and some money from his summer job. Nonetheless, he is excited to finally live his life without being closeted and trying to slip under the radar. Marty's life looks perfect from the outside: he made friends in less than a few weeks, is closer to having his first relationship, and travels around Europe. But that is just a facade. Marty has not spoken to his deeply religious parents since he arrived in London. After some time, he is tearing his savings, and his anxiety only gets worse and worse. Additionally, he has not come close to finding his dream job in London.
This book is quite tough to rate. I believe I should be the targeted audience. However, I found most characters annoying and somewhat childish. Marty was incredibly naive. Who would move in their right mind to London without any prospects and any plan? He wanted to go to music school but was not accepted, and he only knows his aunt Leah and his cousin Shane there. Did Marty think it easy to find a job in Europe and especially in London of all places?!
As already mentioned, most characters aren't likeable and do not support the plot at all. Most of them could have been cut out, and it would not affect the story much. Marty's love interest Pierce and his best friend Megan were unlikable and even shitty people in general. Marty desperately tries to be the perfect match for Pierce while being extremely ignorant of other people.
Another thing that struggles me was how ignorant Marty, in general, was. His mother is Irish, but it was not specified if she is from Northern Ireland or not. If she is from Northern Ireland, Marty would have British citizenship, but since she is catholic, I believe she is from the republic from Irland. I dispersed the fact that it was never mentioned. Why would not Marty know that British people are different from your average Americans? Furthermore, the author states that you can not find a good coffee shop in London is just laughable. The tea cliche and the British-American word confusing is a bit out of place since Marty's mum is Irish.
Marty mentions that Shane does have an incredibly thick Irish accent, but he mainly lived in London. That sounds super odd in my option. Even if his mum is from Ireland, the child would not have such a strong accent if he spent most of his life in London. I know that is nitpicking, but it really bothered me, and some of the realism went away with it.
Furthermore, I wouldn't say I liked the depiction of religion in this book. I understand that many queer people have a problematic relationship with the church and religion in general. But sometimes, the book felt like it was trying to convince you how lousy believing is and why you should see abdomen faith, and this is coming from an agnostic.
I did not enjoyed the story one bit and only gave 2/5 stars since I like Stamper's writing style. The story felt lacklustre and ignorant to other cultures other than American. I would not recommend this book, but if you're going to read a book by Phil Stamper, please choose "The Gravity of Us". It was much more enjoyable than this.
"As Far As You'll Take Me" is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about finding people who would always stand by your side.
Marty is a seventeen-year-old boy from Kentucky who flys to London with nothing but his oboe and some money from his summer job. Nonetheless, he is excited to finally live his life without being closeted and trying to slip under the radar. Marty's life looks perfect from the outside: he made friends in less than a few weeks, is closer to having his first relationship, and travels around Europe. But that is just a facade. Marty has not spoken to his deeply religious parents since he arrived in London. After some time, he is tearing his savings, and his anxiety only gets worse and worse. Additionally, he has not come close to finding his dream job in London.
This book is quite tough to rate. I believe I should be the targeted audience. However, I found most characters annoying and somewhat childish. Marty was incredibly naive. Who would move in their right mind to London without any prospects and any plan? He wanted to go to music school but was not accepted, and he only knows his aunt Leah and his cousin Shane there. Did Marty think it easy to find a job in Europe and especially in London of all places?!
As already mentioned, most characters aren't likeable and do not support the plot at all. Most of them could have been cut out, and it would not affect the story much. Marty's love interest Pierce and his best friend Megan were unlikable and even shitty people in general. Marty desperately tries to be the perfect match for Pierce while being extremely ignorant of other people.
Another thing that struggles me was how ignorant Marty, in general, was. His mother is Irish, but it was not specified if she is from Northern Ireland or not. If she is from Northern Ireland, Marty would have British citizenship, but since she is catholic, I believe she is from the republic from Irland. I dispersed the fact that it was never mentioned. Why would not Marty know that British people are different from your average Americans? Furthermore, the author states that you can not find a good coffee shop in London is just laughable. The tea cliche and the British-American word confusing is a bit out of place since Marty's mum is Irish.
Marty mentions that Shane does have an incredibly thick Irish accent, but he mainly lived in London. That sounds super odd in my option. Even if his mum is from Ireland, the child would not have such a strong accent if he spent most of his life in London. I know that is nitpicking, but it really bothered me, and some of the realism went away with it.
Furthermore, I wouldn't say I liked the depiction of religion in this book. I understand that many queer people have a problematic relationship with the church and religion in general. But sometimes, the book felt like it was trying to convince you how lousy believing is and why you should see abdomen faith, and this is coming from an agnostic.
I did not enjoyed the story one bit and only gave 2/5 stars since I like Stamper's writing style. The story felt lacklustre and ignorant to other cultures other than American. I would not recommend this book, but if you're going to read a book by Phil Stamper, please choose "The Gravity of Us". It was much more enjoyable than this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Outing
Moderate: Alcoholism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Cheatingcollyofthewobbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Trigger Warnings for:
Bullying, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, toxic relationships body dysmorphia eating disorder and calorie counting.
As Far As you Take Me is a challenging and necessary story of Marty, a high school graduate, escaping his bigoted home town of Kentucky. To travel to London England in search of new opportunities. A place to be free, and to explore not only his music, but his life.
But Marty has high anxiety, that is triggered by all things new. He is about to be thrust into a new life and lots of experiences. He discovers exactly what he can cope with and what true friendship looks like.
Like Phil Stampers debut The Gravity of Us, this book hits hard on mental health and more specifically, anxiety and how that manifests itself.
Through the course of the book Marty comes in contact with many damaging triggers, such as distorted eating and body dysmorphia. These are talked about head on in the book and explored from inside Marty's head as he spirals straight into distorted eating patterns.
Peppered throughout the book are diaries entries from 12 months earlier. Explaining exactly how Marty came to hos decision to move to London.
I found these very distracting and put in awkward places. Something big would be happening in present day. And then you would suddenly be transported back 12 months.
To me this upset the flow of the story, i would have much preferred the book in chronological order. Plotting out what happened and then moving on.
That being said, the present day story is strong and chock-full of ongoing relationships. From bigoted parent, abusive best friends and flaky love interests.
I did enjoy this book but it was hard reading at times, especially as someone in ED recovery. The triggers are very strong, but essential to the story.
Bullying, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, toxic relationships body dysmorphia eating disorder and calorie counting.
As Far As you Take Me is a challenging and necessary story of Marty, a high school graduate, escaping his bigoted home town of Kentucky. To travel to London England in search of new opportunities. A place to be free, and to explore not only his music, but his life.
But Marty has high anxiety, that is triggered by all things new. He is about to be thrust into a new life and lots of experiences. He discovers exactly what he can cope with and what true friendship looks like.
Like Phil Stampers debut The Gravity of Us, this book hits hard on mental health and more specifically, anxiety and how that manifests itself.
Through the course of the book Marty comes in contact with many damaging triggers, such as distorted eating and body dysmorphia. These are talked about head on in the book and explored from inside Marty's head as he spirals straight into distorted eating patterns.
Peppered throughout the book are diaries entries from 12 months earlier. Explaining exactly how Marty came to hos decision to move to London.
I found these very distracting and put in awkward places. Something big would be happening in present day. And then you would suddenly be transported back 12 months.
To me this upset the flow of the story, i would have much preferred the book in chronological order. Plotting out what happened and then moving on.
That being said, the present day story is strong and chock-full of ongoing relationships. From bigoted parent, abusive best friends and flaky love interests.
I did enjoy this book but it was hard reading at times, especially as someone in ED recovery. The triggers are very strong, but essential to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry