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yer_real_da's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wit a book. For a debut novel, Armstrong knocks it oot eh park. Azzy is a compelling protagonist and his ensemble, while hard tae tell apart at first, are a great team. As someone who grew up and lives in a scheme everything in this book rings true to the sort of stuff I'd see the elder troops doing back in eh day. It's also cracking seeing somecunt shamelessly writing in Scots, no being feart of eh backlash that can come wae it; clearly a wee something picked up fae his hero Irvine. The book slows doon a bit during the rave stage. I was a bit eckied oot after watching Human Traffic and reading Skagboys so having to go through getting telt how ecstasy makes you "feel the love, man" was making me ready tae skip it. The last half of the book however is probably the best part, A'm the same age as Azzy at this point in the book and it's all so real. Must-read for anycunt that was around for the YT culture of the 00s whether ye were about it or no, cannae wait for future English teachers to shove this doon wains' throats instead of Carol Anne Duffy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction and Suicide
dominic's review
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
At first I thought the Scots prose might be difficult to understand, and would hinder my enjoyment of the story. However, that fear was shortlived. Once I had looked up a few of the most common words, I found it pretty easy to get my head around. You just need to read it in a Glasgow accent. And the narrative is compelling throughout, capturing the tragedy, brutality and reality of life as a youth in the schemes.
Strongly recommended, if ya dinnae mind a wee bit o language n violence.
Strongly recommended, if ya dinnae mind a wee bit o language n violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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