Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Boys Don't Cry

I really wanted to like this book, especially considering how alluring the title was. Speaking of the title, I'd like to state that this title is quite misleading on what this book was about. Initially, I thought this book was going to explore the depths of how toxic masculinity affects the youth and how its conditioning has shaped previous generations. Although the author does displays events that depict toxic masculinity she never dives into how those principles and actions affect the main characters at all. Putting the misleading title aside, this book was actually a story about how gang culture shaped a family and its community as well as depicting the battles one faces when faced with a terminal illness.

I understand how many found this story emotional and a phenomenal piece on Dublin and the effects of gang culture and how classism plays a role. However, I felt like the issues this book was tackling were very surface-level. Joe didn't seem like a flushed-out enough character in my opinion and I don't we got enough insight into his grieving for his brother. Also, I was expecting more emotional interactions with the two brothers considering the blurb portrayed them to be very close.

I'd also like to point out that I'm not familiar with Dublin culture so many of the phrases used were very unfamiliar to me and I just didn't vibe with the way that this book was written. And the ending of this book felt very underwhelming and inconclusive

What happened to his dad? Also, I'm confused about the shooting. Did he shoot his friend?

I was very confused throughout a few parts of this book. Overall, the book just felt pretty surface-level and just didn't live up to what its potential in my opinion.

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writingcaia's review

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emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

When poverty and crime are your birthrights, even if you’re the smartest your family has seen and granted a scholarship to the Irish high society kid’s private school, how can you protect those you love without turning into your bully, crime boss crony, misogynistic, wife beater father? How can you face the most hurtful loss and still go on and mingle with the entitled rich kids who knowing your father, like the poor ones of your neighbourhood, only expect you to follow in his footsteps?
This book is a portrayal of loss, sudden, and cruel, and of the poverty and crime cycle which is as shown very hard to escape, hard to survive, no matter if you’re given other opportunities, which shows how strong the pull of family and expectations are, that one can turn away from the chance to leave the slums behind just to fit into the expected role and future.
From the beginning you know it’s going to hurt, it hurts from the get go.
Beautiful writing, and very insightful story. Loved it! Only wish it went on… it’s my own preference for longer books, longer endings.

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