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kappafrog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
I almost gave up on this book because I was so grossed out by all the hygiene and dental details early in the book. However, I'm glad I stuck with it. Baxter turned out to be a really endearing main character, and I liked getting to know him better. He was so sweet with Esme. I loved that he was interested in science fiction, and reading about his struggles due to his race and sexuality was really compelling. At first I thought the writing style was over-wrought, but once I got into the rhythm of it, it really worked with the hallucinatory journey Baxter was on. I loved the ending too.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Medical content, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide, Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
jordanws's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a beautiful book. The style is very unique - I listened to the audiobook version which was a treat. It is written in first person present tense for the most part, which adds a sense of immediacy to the text. The story highlights a little-known part of Canada's history, and includes believable and outlandish characters. Highly recommended.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
mikaylaslibrary's review
4.5
I was pleasantly surprised by this. It is not something that I would typically read, but I'm glad I took the chance. It was very well written, and I finished it in about a day and a half, which was going slow for how much I wanted to read it.
I think what I loved about it, other people might not, but I do think that it's a book that everyone should try to read.
I think what I loved about it, other people might not, but I do think that it's a book that everyone should try to read.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
paronomaniac's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
shirtypantser's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I very much enjoyed this book. It's a slice-of-life type story about a gay, black porter working on a train in the 1920s. Parts are difficult - at points he's dealing with severe sleep deprivation and parts read like a fever dream (rightfully so). Dialog is also formatted in a way I associate with older books. Quotation marks are few and far (maybe not at any at all, but I can't be certain), at least in the digital version of the book. Because it was digital, sometimes line and page breaks don't translate well, and there were a few instances I wasn't sure who was talking. Big or feature? It added to the feeling of chaos and confusion in some scenes. However, I can see this being a detractor for some.
Overall, I thought this was well written and quite enjoyable.
Overall, I thought this was well written and quite enjoyable.
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Sexual harassment
nini23's review against another edition
Reminds me too much of being on call.
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
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