thewordwitch's review against another edition
2.0
Whereas Justin Torres is a solid writer, I did not like the story itself. It was brutal and ugly, and not something I generally like reading.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
1.0
the best thing is that it is short.Bleak and depressing. Not my kind of book at all.
haliahli's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down as though it was a case of binge-watching Netflix. Truly captivating and enticing.
Although much praise claims it a coming-of-age spectacle, it seems more like a discovery-of-age; the first shocker being within the chapter "Seven". This novel scoops you into a whirlwind of an urban family life. Even if the subject matter may be unfamiliar, Torres made the the world of this distorted, mixed, Brooklyn family come to life for me. This is definitely a novel I would love to relive again.
Although much praise claims it a coming-of-age spectacle, it seems more like a discovery-of-age; the first shocker being within the chapter "Seven". This novel scoops you into a whirlwind of an urban family life. Even if the subject matter may be unfamiliar, Torres made the the world of this distorted, mixed, Brooklyn family come to life for me. This is definitely a novel I would love to relive again.
bookwyrmsam's review against another edition
2.0
This book had some really well-written and thought provoking passages but overall I didn't really connect with the story or any of the characters, so I probably won't revisit it. I'm curious if this was just because it was so short and a little disjointed (which read as an intentional imitation of memory)? Essentially I don't think it's a bad book but the structure just didn't work for my reading tastes. I do look forward to class discussion, and I'm curious if other student's readings of this will impact my perspective.
Content Warnings for familial abuse, and sexual assault
Content Warnings for familial abuse, and sexual assault
nadconnor's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book up because in fact, I thought it was another one that had been recommended to me. In fact it was not.
The author tried hard to be very lyrical with is writing, tried to make everything sound flawless and perfect. Perhaps he tried a little bit too hard. I was enjoying it in the beginning, but then it became a little flowery for a book about three rough and tumble boys.
I felt that a lot more could have been included in this book. It felt like a series of snapshots. Interesting, but not quite enough information. A glimpse into the lives of these three boys, and their parents, but no real involvement. It felt much like looking through a photo album of strangers you find at a garage sale - the pictures were attractive enough but without the background knowledge it couldn't hold my interest.
The author tried hard to be very lyrical with is writing, tried to make everything sound flawless and perfect. Perhaps he tried a little bit too hard. I was enjoying it in the beginning, but then it became a little flowery for a book about three rough and tumble boys.
I felt that a lot more could have been included in this book. It felt like a series of snapshots. Interesting, but not quite enough information. A glimpse into the lives of these three boys, and their parents, but no real involvement. It felt much like looking through a photo album of strangers you find at a garage sale - the pictures were attractive enough but without the background knowledge it couldn't hold my interest.
editrix's review against another edition
Gorgeous stuff. Hard stuff. I want Justin Torres to write more books and also short stories and poems and movies and TV shows and newspaper articles and magazine features and commercials and print ads and rock anthems and lullabies and postcards and anything else he damn well pleases. I want it.
This coming-of-age novel is set up like a line of quick, fiery shots along a bar, each one uniquely thrilling and beautiful and sometimes sickening. You can’t stop once you start.
This coming-of-age novel is set up like a line of quick, fiery shots along a bar, each one uniquely thrilling and beautiful and sometimes sickening. You can’t stop once you start.
jrsands's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the start of this book, but it got so dark and was uncomfortable to read. Just not my cup of tea.
universalbee's review against another edition
5.0
i loved the feelings and sensations torres' writing gave me. i felt like I was one of the brothers! beautiful read.