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lidia7's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexism, Vomit, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Classism
sydapel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I don't really know how I feel about the writing here, or the overall impact of this book, but I did do a hell of a lot of dog earing in my library copy. Isa is a compelling as hell narrator, a keen observer of the frivolity of those around her and yet grappling with the fact that her worth is derived from how entertaining she can be. There's a staggering amount of side characters that flit in and out of the picture, but at the center is this girl yearning to be taken seriously in the New York party scene. The author makes some interesting commentary on Youth, but I struggled with the latter third of it immensely and so am unsure how to feel.
Graphic: Drug use and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
savvylit's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There are a lot of books about partying in New York City. However, none of them read quite like Happy Hour. Isa and Gala are on tourist visas. The two friends are so often broke because they can only seek under-the-table jobs that pay in cash. Their tourist status also gives a finite length to their NYC era since their visas are 6 months long. This lends Happy Hour a voyeuristic quality. As tourists, Isa and Gala are inevitably relegated to outsider status.
On the surface, Happy Hour is a book about two girls having (mostly) good times. Isa and Gala - but especially Isa - are incredibly charming and extroverted. They are the perfect duo for finding fun and mischief on nights out in NYC. As the novel progresses, though, there's a subtle thread of class consciousness and racial identity. Isa is a brown person of mixed race. Throughout Happy Hour, Isa faces many microaggressions that she notes with detachment or amusement depending on the occasion. Additionally, some of her wealthy acquaintances view her as less of a person and more of an amusement to keep around. That being said, Granados never outrightly moralizes in the pages of Happy Hour. Her criticism of the bourgeoisie is, however, easily inferred.
Ultimately, Happy Hour is a book about the power of connection and the strength of friendship. Isa's distinct voice is unlike any other narrator I've experienced. She's effortlessly cool and charming while still remaining real and complex. After doing some web sleuthing, it seems that Isa is strongly based on Granados herself. Please excuse me while I go read everything Marlowe Granados has ever written and try to absorb even just one iota of her wit and confidence.
On the surface, Happy Hour is a book about two girls having (mostly) good times. Isa and Gala - but especially Isa - are incredibly charming and extroverted. They are the perfect duo for finding fun and mischief on nights out in NYC. As the novel progresses, though, there's a subtle thread of class consciousness and racial identity. Isa is a brown person of mixed race. Throughout Happy Hour, Isa faces many microaggressions that she notes with detachment or amusement depending on the occasion. Additionally, some of her wealthy acquaintances view her as less of a person and more of an amusement to keep around. That being said, Granados never outrightly moralizes in the pages of Happy Hour. Her criticism of the bourgeoisie is, however, easily inferred.
Ultimately, Happy Hour is a book about the power of connection and the strength of friendship. Isa's distinct voice is unlike any other narrator I've experienced. She's effortlessly cool and charming while still remaining real and complex. After doing some web sleuthing, it seems that Isa is strongly based on Granados herself. Please excuse me while I go read everything Marlowe Granados has ever written and try to absorb even just one iota of her wit and confidence.
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, and Classism
mlewis's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Infidelity, Racism, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, and War
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