avaj_b's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Car accident, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Fatphobia and Mental illness
chowie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia
stampest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Bullying, Vomit, Sexual content, Self harm, and Misogyny
Minor: Death, Racism, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Cursing, Murder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, and Car accident
rachel_here's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The story was pretty entertaining. There is a mystery, clues that lead Quentin from one place to another, a road trip, american highschool shenanigans... But I can't say I enjoyed the book all that much.
Quentin as a main character isn't exactly likeable. He's judgmental, a bit of a snob, and assumes he knows people better than they do - which often leads him to devalue them or put them on a pedestral, as he does Margo. Which isn't a problem in itself because he has an arc to go through to grow as a person. Except I don't think his story arc was really all that conclusive.
Spoiler
For someone who was supposed to learn how to see Margo as a real person instead of this inaccessible, grand mystery he had to figure out, he sure kept seeing her as a metaphor or a poem or whatever-else until the very end. And since we only ever see Margo through Quentin's narration, where he never really listens to her or take to heart what she's trying to say but thinks he does, it kind of defeats the purpose of showing that she is her own person unrelated to him - which itself isn't exactly groundbreaking, or at least shouldn't be.For what it is, it's a fun mystery / coming-of-age story. But it still is overly stereotypical, both with its characters (especially the side cast) and the way some of the themes are written. Some casual remarks treated as facts or "boys will be boys" also made me raise an eyebrow, but it was otherwise pretty okay. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic relationship
gray_713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism and Alcohol