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elementarymydear's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-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
This book is bursting at the seams with heart, celebration, and empowerment. Ted, a newly divorced man in his 40s, decides to pursue his lifelong dream of being a drag queen (a detail which should DEFINITELY be in the synopsis, I was umming and ahhing whether I should read it until I found that out!). On the way he rediscovers his childhood joy of singing and dancing, uncovers family secrets, connects with queer people of all generations, and finds love in an aspiring interior designer.
šFind this and more reviews on my blog!š
Itās impossible not to immediately fall in love with Ted. As the narrative flits between the modern day and flashbacks, we very quickly root for him as we see the ways he has been made to feel like an outsider throughout his life. The relationships he builds over the course of the book are wonderful too. He goes on a real journey and itās so heart-warming to be taken along for the ride.
The romantic element was also brilliant. The romance between Ted and Oskar was incredibly sweet, with the right amount of āfiguring it outā that happens at the start of any new relationship. The way they helped each other grow was a real asset to the story, and even before theyāve met I was rooting for them!
There is a lot packed into this book, at times too much. Pretty much every character has a tragic backstory, and by the end a few too many emotional climaxes/plot twist reveals were written as āX explained thatā¦ā followed by a summary often including very dark, heavy topics such as domestic abuse or persecution. For a story with such a joyful main storyline, almost every other arc was filled with tragedy and there were so many that they started to lose their impact. Had one or two of them been cut, or scaled-back-on, there would have been a bit more space for the remaining ones to be explored in more depth, and a bit more balance in the book as a whole.
The narration by Samuel Barnett brings all of the residents of St-Lukeās-on-Sea to life, with an impressive range of accents in his arsenal! I was hooked by the narration from the very start, finding any excuse to stick my headphones on and listen to some more.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
šFind this and more reviews on my blog!š
Itās impossible not to immediately fall in love with Ted. As the narrative flits between the modern day and flashbacks, we very quickly root for him as we see the ways he has been made to feel like an outsider throughout his life. The relationships he builds over the course of the book are wonderful too. He goes on a real journey and itās so heart-warming to be taken along for the ride.
The romantic element was also brilliant. The romance between Ted and Oskar was incredibly sweet, with the right amount of āfiguring it outā that happens at the start of any new relationship. The way they helped each other grow was a real asset to the story, and even before theyāve met I was rooting for them!
There is a lot packed into this book, at times too much. Pretty much every character has a tragic backstory, and by the end a few too many emotional climaxes/plot twist reveals were written as āX explained thatā¦ā followed by a summary often including very dark, heavy topics such as domestic abuse or persecution. For a story with such a joyful main storyline, almost every other arc was filled with tragedy and there were so many that they started to lose their impact. Had one or two of them been cut, or scaled-back-on, there would have been a bit more space for the remaining ones to be explored in more depth, and a bit more balance in the book as a whole.
The narration by Samuel Barnett brings all of the residents of St-Lukeās-on-Sea to life, with an impressive range of accents in his arsenal! I was hooked by the narration from the very start, finding any excuse to stick my headphones on and listen to some more.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Cancer, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Abortion
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
I loved THE SECRET LIFE OF ALBERT ENTWISTLE that this was an automatic must read. I absolutely adored this book. Such a feel-good, heart-warming story. I loved all the characters, and I liked that there's storylines for each of them rather than some of them just being there in the background. There's just so much to the plot, I highly recommend giving it a go!Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Infidelity
james1star's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Headline publishing house for accepting me as a pre-publication reviewer. This has proved to be one of my favourite books of the year and itās not even out yet!Ā
Quick plot summary: forty three year old Ted is living a rather pleasant life: has a husband of twenty years, a loving dog, a great best friend, a stable job working for his familyās ice cream shop in a little Lancashire seaside town. But how great is it really? Especially when heās had to hide his true passion throughout his whole life. When his husband confesses heās been having an affair and wants to split up, Ted cannot see anything good coming his wayā¦ but how wrong he was. Finally he gains the courage - with the help of many great people in his life - to pursue his dream of becoming a drag queen and fully comprehend his (dull, reserved and unauthentic) life before. In doing so, he embarks on the journey of āBecoming Tedā.Ā
That was a *very* short summary and thereās a *lot* more that goes on, sub-plots and character storylines but I so wholeheartedly 1000% recommend picking this book up I donāt want to spoil anything and Yhh, you need to experience it first hand I think to truly get the most out of this book. But continue reading I wonāt spoil anything, itās all praise trust me.Ā
Now whilst there was some plot points I personally didnāt like that much, I do appreciate it as a whole and how they lead to certain things happening and just Awgh I cannot get over how satisfied I was with this book. It also deals with many topics; specifically toxic relationships and gaslighting techniques which Ted learns was apparent in his marriage (and with other characters) and has flashbacks to points in time which were done exceptionally well - you are transported back, it makes sense immediately what is happening, you donāt lose sight of the present-day plot and I dunno just wow I loved them and how theyāre demarcated with little ice creams!!!! No words. So yes, this exploration of relationships dynamics and understanding possible trauma is handled very well, itās eye-opening, emotional and gripping. Additionally, homophobia is a present theme both externally in how Ted thinks back to school but mainly with Oskar and Andrzej with the scenes in Poland in the further and more recent past - mentioning LGBT-free zones and Anti-gay protests/marches - but a major part is internal homophobia and how one overcomes it. The fact itās definitely not an easy ride, with ups and downs, movements forwards and back and how no matter how much you might love someone and want whatās best for them, they need to come to terms with themselves first and truly appreciate they are who they are. Once again I donāt want to explain too much as this self-discovery aspect of the book is a prominent motif in many different ways and to read and understand it first hand is much more impactful.Ā
I think I could honestly write about this book for ages but I donāt want to give things away so Iāll try and stop myself.Ā
But not until I talk about the characters. Awghhhhhh omfg I loved them so much like just wow wow wow!!! Firstly, yes they all have some flaws and nuances (except Lilly the dog - sheās perfect) but this adds to their lovableness and realness too. First off, our āmain characterā (I did it in āā because he is definitely the mc buttt as itās written in third person - something I though was slightly a wrong choice as I started reading thinking it would be great in first - with most chapters from Tedās POV, his bestie Denise and Oskar have their own chapters too where the narrator narrates what is happening with italics representing what that character is thinking in their head. I hope I explained this well and understandable but like once again this was super great and I just loved how we sort of got these other views and then more insight into these characters lives) Ted is so likeable, heās sweet and kind, funny, just great and you feel for him so much. You experience so much of what he goes through and there are so many relatable and just lovable aspects to his character. Denise is yes flawed but sheās such a great friend and personality, has dealt with a lot and so you understand her outlook. Oskar is just the sweetest omg I canāt. He had to deal with so much trauma growing up and internal hatred and just finding himself. Stanley is purely fantabulosa, heās just an icon, super super lovable and funny, a great personality but we too get to see some of his painful past. Tedās parents Hilary and Trevor (and sister Jemima) are the most nuanced Iād say as in you do like them but also some things they have done is a bit āehhā-ey but like you do understand their reasonings and thingsā¦ I dunno what to feel? I would say I do still like them. Quick fire shout out to these other great characters: Alison, Marina, Mick, Peg Legge, Pussy Squat, Mick and Andrzej too. Giles was by far the most unlikable (well actually Karl is) but then again he has some redeeming qualities and Yhhā¦ read it to see why I donāt hate hate him.Ā
The writing is so great too. Itās super addictive, making you read on and fully encapsulating you. It was honestly physically straining to put it away and do what I needed to do at times. I also just didnāt want to let the characters go so I was in a major predicament of either binging it or spending more time with these icons? And I mostly binged but I can (and will!) give it a reread to revisit St-Lukeās-on-Sea and all itās fabulous residents. I wouldnāt say the writing is particularly outstanding but itās very readable and there are some lovely descriptive passages. The dialogue is super realistic, sharp, witty, humorous and Yhh honestly just great. There were also a few great quotes and many many takeaways.Ā
If you didnāt guess already but I loved this book! Like honestly Iām in such awe of these characters, the plot and meanings portrayed. Itās exceptional. I will very likely be placing an order for the physical copy when it becomes available and in the meantime hope to read some more of Matt Cainās works. bring it on!
P.S. the acknowledgments were super sweet and so much meaning - read them too!Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Homophobia
Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Hate crime
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racism, Cancer, Fatphobia, Grief, Suicide, and Mental illness
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