Scan barcode
bookhoarder2022's review against another edition
dark
sad
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
2.0
I went into this book with high hopes & a friend’s recommendation.
It took me 6 months to read it, because I just couldn’t get GOING.
Once I finally made progress, my average expression was a grimace: there are so so so many fatphobic descriptions I could barely blink without some other mention about how someone was less attractive than high school with weigh gain playing a part every time.
Speaking of attraction, there is so much longing in this book for HS lovers the now almost-30-year-old main characters want to get back to & HS sexcapades that honestly just feel gross to me, reading as a just-turned-30 myself & thinking about my HS self. It’s weird.
Overall, there’s a strange way that HS seems to possess the minds and hearts of these characters in a way that just disturbed me.
2 stars for excellent characters (even though I found them miserable) & some interesting plot decisions. Would not read again.
It took me 6 months to read it, because I just couldn’t get GOING.
Once I finally made progress, my average expression was a grimace: there are so so so many fatphobic descriptions I could barely blink without some other mention about how someone was less attractive than high school with weigh gain playing a part every time.
Speaking of attraction, there is so much longing in this book for HS lovers the now almost-30-year-old main characters want to get back to & HS sexcapades that honestly just feel gross to me, reading as a just-turned-30 myself & thinking about my HS self. It’s weird.
Overall, there’s a strange way that HS seems to possess the minds and hearts of these characters in a way that just disturbed me.
2 stars for excellent characters (even though I found them miserable) & some interesting plot decisions. Would not read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Hate crime, Misogyny, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Eating disorder, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion