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sheeprustler's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
asherlock99's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
happyglowlucky's review against another edition
5.0
You know how you have a couple books that you just come back to over, and over, and over again? Ones you fall in love with? This is one of those books, for me. I read it ages ago, I think it was shortly after it first came out, and I've re-read in many times since then. The characters are great (especially Uncle Gerard), the book is hilarious, and the writing is sublime: vivid, alive, engaging, precise. I left Montreal a long time ago, but this book takes me back to that time and place, which is another great thing about this book - it's accurate. Anyone whose ever lived in Montreal (especially as a young adult) would agree with me.
The people who gave it bad reviews are Bad Reviewers; sorry to be harsh, but it's true - saying things like "this book sucked because the characters are dark" makes you a Bad Reviewer. Why? Well, because there's a difference between whether you LIKED a character and whether that character was well-written, and Bad Reviewers can't tell the difference. You don't have to enjoy a book to appreciate that it is written well; you don't have to like a character to appreciate that they're well-written, alive, and jump off the page. I've read a ton of books that I didn't actually like, but I could still tell/appreciate that they were well-written. Just because something is not to your taste doesn't mean no skill went into it.
Anyway, I digress! This is one of the best novels I have ever read. I have a handful of novels that are absolute favourites, gems that I refuse to lend to anyone out of the fear that I won't get them back. This is one of those books. Read it!
The people who gave it bad reviews are Bad Reviewers; sorry to be harsh, but it's true - saying things like "this book sucked because the characters are dark" makes you a Bad Reviewer. Why? Well, because there's a difference between whether you LIKED a character and whether that character was well-written, and Bad Reviewers can't tell the difference. You don't have to enjoy a book to appreciate that it is written well; you don't have to like a character to appreciate that they're well-written, alive, and jump off the page. I've read a ton of books that I didn't actually like, but I could still tell/appreciate that they were well-written. Just because something is not to your taste doesn't mean no skill went into it.
Anyway, I digress! This is one of the best novels I have ever read. I have a handful of novels that are absolute favourites, gems that I refuse to lend to anyone out of the fear that I won't get them back. This is one of those books. Read it!
bookchasm's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
Interesting, but not one that I'll ever be compelled to re-read. I didn't particularly care for the ending, but maybe that was the desired effect - for me to feel as frustrated as Jeremy.
Interesting, but not one that I'll ever be compelled to re-read. I didn't particularly care for the ending, but maybe that was the desired effect - for me to feel as frustrated as Jeremy.