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the_quail's review
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Feel like I was not in the right mood to read that. Gonna try next summer again. Rating might change
poppiesforus's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.75
quick read, I liked the way the author represented teens, very realistic. loved it
tkcarson's review
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chloehm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
cabbagecakes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
katrijn_vm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sinead_k's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I feel like this is one of those strange and weirdly enjoyable pieces of literature my uni lecturers would have loved to make us study & that would have had the class absolutely divided on - some hating it with a passion and some liking it, no in between
michrego's review
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
coys's review
2.0
Very short, and while that doesn't have to be a bad thing, I just never felt attached and I think that's a big part of the reason why. It was fine. No complaints, no regrets about reading it -- just didn't really care about it much. Angst dial was turned to 11 and that's fine too! Probably more like a 2.5 but I'm honestly not sure if I have a 2* rating on here so yolo.
I will be more careful about reading books from random TikToks just cause they're short, though.
I will be more careful about reading books from random TikToks just cause they're short, though.
laurenwise24's review
3.0
For a book of only 104 pages, Heatwave is an incredible piece of writing. This short story follows Leonard, an awkward teenager on holiday at a campsite in France. It is during one of the final evenings of his holiday that he finds another teen, Oscar, hanging from a playground swing. Leonard watches Oscar in his final moments, and proceeds to bury his body in the sand.
What transpires over the next 90 pages is nothing but fantastic - we follow as Leonard comes to terms with his actions, all while attempting to somewhat enjoy his last day on holiday. The thoughts of Oscar plague his mind as the days pan out, with him battling over what to do.
The writing in this story is fairly simple, which makes it an easy morning read for those looking for something short. I enjoyed the occasional mentions of various songs, and found the setting of an August heatwave to be *very* relatable. I often found myself wanting to shout at Leonard and say ‘you aren’t helping yourself’ - but wonder if his actions come down to being so isolated.
My only issue with this book is that it simply isn’t long enough. I feel that there is so much more that could be delved into - Oscar’s story, the aftermath of the final pages, I want to know where Leonard ends up!
But perhaps that’s the beauty of a short story? It has such a strong effect on you in such a short space of time, and leaves it up to the reader to come to their own conclusions…
If anyone is looking for an end of summer read with a darker twist, I would thoroughly recommend picking this up.
What transpires over the next 90 pages is nothing but fantastic - we follow as Leonard comes to terms with his actions, all while attempting to somewhat enjoy his last day on holiday. The thoughts of Oscar plague his mind as the days pan out, with him battling over what to do.
The writing in this story is fairly simple, which makes it an easy morning read for those looking for something short. I enjoyed the occasional mentions of various songs, and found the setting of an August heatwave to be *very* relatable. I often found myself wanting to shout at Leonard and say ‘you aren’t helping yourself’ - but wonder if his actions come down to being so isolated.
My only issue with this book is that it simply isn’t long enough. I feel that there is so much more that could be delved into - Oscar’s story, the aftermath of the final pages, I want to know where Leonard ends up!
But perhaps that’s the beauty of a short story? It has such a strong effect on you in such a short space of time, and leaves it up to the reader to come to their own conclusions…
If anyone is looking for an end of summer read with a darker twist, I would thoroughly recommend picking this up.