scops_xyz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Homophobia, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death and Child abuse
jouljet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- 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: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Racism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
nibs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
This was the April pick of a queer literature book club I am in. I'd enjoyed Omar Sakr's contribution to the short story collection After Australia and was keen to read more of his work. When we met up for bookclub, I still had about 30 pages left, but I was able to enjoy the discussion and not feel spoiled due to the nature of his writing. The writing isn't plot-based, its more following a character through his own experiences.
You can tell this book is written by a poet. It is so carefully worded, with so much packed into some sentences in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it way. It felt like we were going back over Jamal's experiences with him. Reading about him as a bi man and seeing how queerness was viewed in the varying intersections of his cultures (Muslim expectations, Lebanese and Turkish cultures). Finding out what it was like in western Sydney at this time was really insightful - I'm a bit too young to know from the news. This is the kind of book I'd like to reread one day, it's so rich in detail.
I originally gave this 4 stars, but I just couldn't stop thinking about it. A week later I was thinking it should be 4.5 stars. I've concluded that I'll average it out to 4.25 stars.
You can tell this book is written by a poet. It is so carefully worded, with so much packed into some sentences in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it way. It felt like we were going back over Jamal's experiences with him. Reading about him as a bi man and seeing how queerness was viewed in the varying intersections of his cultures (Muslim expectations, Lebanese and Turkish cultures). Finding out what it was like in western Sydney at this time was really insightful - I'm a bit too young to know from the news. This is the kind of book I'd like to reread one day, it's so rich in detail.
I originally gave this 4 stars, but I just couldn't stop thinking about it. A week later I was thinking it should be 4.5 stars. I've concluded that I'll average it out to 4.25 stars.
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexual content
geekberry's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual violence, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Rape
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