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ragoreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
stormeno's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism and Child abuse
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
I knew nothing about this book so had no preconceptions going in, which I always love. It's such a heartwarming, sweet book but completely anchored in how messy and brutal reality can be. I liked being drip-fed snippets of Andrew's background and not really seeing him fully until close to the end; up until then it's not always easy to see his motives, although he never goes as far as becoming unsympathetic.
The writing is so easy to follow, with a light and funny style I was happy to keep coming back to. The humour gets really black at times, which feels inevitable given how so much of the plot deals closely with death. There are some lighter side characters to keep the tone from getting too sombre, although they all have their own issues and aren't all exactly likeable.
I particularly like how the book ends; it's one of my favourite tropes to not have everything tied up neatly with everyone well adjusted and happy. The idea remains that life isn't just fixed thanks to the events of a few pages; it's hopeful but ambiguous, and that I always find that easier to connect with.
The writing is so easy to follow, with a light and funny style I was happy to keep coming back to. The humour gets really black at times, which feels inevitable given how so much of the plot deals closely with death. There are some lighter side characters to keep the tone from getting too sombre, although they all have their own issues and aren't all exactly likeable.
I particularly like how the book ends; it's one of my favourite tropes to not have everything tied up neatly with everyone well adjusted and happy. The idea remains that life isn't just fixed thanks to the events of a few pages; it's hopeful but ambiguous, and that I always find that easier to connect with.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcoholism and Abandonment
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism and Vomit
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