meeklovestoread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I can understand based on the contents of this book and what it tackles why someone would rate this poorly. I kind of went in blind (I didn't know much about what the book was about); I just read it on a whim. I think the author did a good job of handling the sensitivity of the topic without making it seem like she was romanticizing the perpetrator. I found myself feeling sympathy for both parties (more so the girls). I'm not going to lie getting insight into Noah's feelings about children did make me grimace and angry, but I couldn't help but have a tad bit of sympathy for him because no one hates himself more than Noah does. Also, at first, I understood where the mom was coming from, she just wanted to protect her son, but I really don't think she understood the severity of what her son had done which is why I completely understand why some would find her annoying (the dad was no better in my opinion). The ending and what happens still leaves me conflicted.
Spoiler
I don't condone the mom helping her son die (in the eyes of the law, that's 1st-degree murder), however, I completely get what she did it. Mercy killings (I think that's what they're called) are very complicated to me when faced with those scenarios. It really shows you how everything isn't so black and white.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Suicide, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Vomit, Confinement, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Murder, Abandonment, and Outing
urbanstheno's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Minor: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Grief
lhardy1214's review against another edition
3.75
Heavy read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Grief, Abandonment, Blood, and Death
julsi's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
I have not disliked a book like this in a long time. Is it affecting? yes. I can't stop fuming about it. I just hate the framing and the conclusions and I genuinely do not understand its purpose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, and Bullying
Spoiler
The basic premise of the story is 'perfect' son admits to acting on a sexual attraction to children and is charged & sent to treatment, with mother and family trying to deal with situation. The conclusion is mother ends up agreeing to assist her son in killing himself which is framed as a difficult but noble decision (even as she plans to avoid arrest by making it out to be suicide & somewhere in there the father has never revealed that he had similar problems - in the past? but got over it? I suspect they were trying for a 'its genetic' point but it somehow made the 'this is a mental illness & there is no treatment & look at how society responds'..so euthanasia is the only solution- even more confusing and unsettling) I genuinely do not understand what this story is trying to do other than flattening a complex and provoking topic into a very base 'well, killing pedophiles is the only option. In fact its a kindness.' with an added 'god understands'. I know this is a controversial topic & I have my own personal difficulties with the subject but turns out; I find this a highly disturbing take & genuinely wish I'd never read this book.snapeygan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I cannot put into words what this book made me feel. It COMPLETELY changed my view on the world, and now I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. That’s how much that book, with its writing, its taboo subjects, its less-than-perfect characters and just everything is powerful. From the moment I read the summary to the last page, I’ve been confronted to everything I ever believed in, and that’s exactly what I like, what I search, in books. I loved every minutes of it. I- I cannot write anything else about this book, I am way too busy being flabbergasted by it. It is, truly, an incredible book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Animal cruelty
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