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isd's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
When I started with the book I had no idea what to expect, and it took me a moment to get used to Charlie's writing style. Following his journey and the changes in both his capabilities and traits was pretty interesting. In some ways he changed a lot and fast, and in some ways he had to learn - or should have learned - to behave accordingly, at a more or less equal pace but failed.
Charlie's story was quite sad, especially the very end, but in a way I guess I should call it bittersweet as I had expected much worse as the events unfolded. Your kilometerage may vary.
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexism, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
olivesinthegarden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That being said, there are some bones I have to pick with it. I feel there are a lot of sexist elements in the book, likely due to the time it was written, and let me tell you it hasn’t aged well. The women in this story are either love interests or malicious figures, and the scientists in this book are all men.
Fay’s character makes me angry. She’s heavily infantilized; she’s supposed to be in her mid thirties, but is referred to as a “girl” and behaves very immaturely. She’s a manic pixie dream girl who is mainly there for sexual gratification.
Rose (Charlie’s mother) is the stereotypical hysterical woman who is also evil and has emotionally beaten her husband into submission, leaving him to cave to her malicious will despite being such a great guy and having the best intentions.
I also want to mention that scene where Charlie was super offended when Fay asked if he was gay - just a touch of homophobia in there too. I could get into more, but I’ll just emphasize that I think this book has some out-dated views, especially of women.
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism and Sexism
Minor: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Dementia, and Abandonment
scifi_rat's review against another edition
3.5
some of the psychology and sociology feels dated in many ways but ultimately it does the job it sets out to do.
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Medical content, Dementia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
bookishfaye's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I think as a response to Frankenstein/the Prometheus myth and with commentary about man playing god within science and also monstrosity, there are some interesting things at play within this book. There were moments where I felt very seen by Charlie, and at times very beautiful/important language towards disability as well, it’s just a very very hard read that has extreme ableism/misogyny culture from the late 1950’s marked all over it.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
caseyjayner's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Easy words, tough read.
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
tungstenmouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Dementia, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, and Medical content
It’s an older book so expect language and character attitudes that are not okay now.plbngrs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Sexism
tallnecked_pancakeface's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
irisandfoxglove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Ableism and Child abuse