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thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
An encapsulating story of being queer in the 1980s under socialist rule. While I was expecting a heartfelt summer romance, I also learned a lot about Poland’s politics and demographics in the 70s and 80s, the religious and communist themes throughout the country in spite of the end of German control.
This is a very moving tale of love within the forbidden and hidden, of innocence lost and found, of the duality of cruelty and kindness in humanity.
The writing is beautiful, like poetry, flowing like streams of consciousness from our protagonist, Ludwik, intent on finding himself in the world. His inner turmoil over his attraction to the same sex, his struggles with opening up to someone, his freedom from the Party’s ideologies. His love for Janusz and his lust for a different life. My heart broke for him in his journey for happiness and truth. I desperately wanted to give him a hug.
A melancholy novel rich with history and emotional ups and downs. Simply excellent.
This is a very moving tale of love within the forbidden and hidden, of innocence lost and found, of the duality of cruelty and kindness in humanity.
The writing is beautiful, like poetry, flowing like streams of consciousness from our protagonist, Ludwik, intent on finding himself in the world. His inner turmoil over his attraction to the same sex, his struggles with opening up to someone, his freedom from the Party’s ideologies. His love for Janusz and his lust for a different life. My heart broke for him in his journey for happiness and truth. I desperately wanted to give him a hug.
A melancholy novel rich with history and emotional ups and downs. Simply excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Terminal illness, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Pregnancy
gerzonvillegas's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Police brutality, and War
reallife_kazbrekker's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
For some reason I didn't like this as much as I expected to, given how many 5 star reviews there are of this book...
Like the writing was quite good, but other than that? I don't know I just didn't fully connect to it I guess. Also it read quite fast, which is a big plus in my dyslexic opinion.
Like the writing was quite good, but other than that? I don't know I just didn't fully connect to it I guess. Also it read quite fast, which is a big plus in my dyslexic opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, and Outing