reuben_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a lighthearted yet at times powerful novel.
I thought the discussions around family and death were really meaningful, and I found myself tearing up at points.
I also haven't read many books from Australia, so it was refreshing to read this one.
The only thing that drew me out of the story was the weird way the author wrote about social media. I have to assume that Kostakis is quite a bit older than the teenagers in this book, and I was actually shocked that it was published so recently with the social media wording. The characters post new status updates multiple times a day, and I don't know ANY social media like that that's been used in (at least) the last 5 years. The teenagers also sound awkward when talking about technology: 'Theres this app for my phone' - no-one under the age of 30 would EVER say that.
Apart from that point... what an enjoyable and heartwarming novel.
I thought the discussions around family and death were really meaningful, and I found myself tearing up at points.
I also haven't read many books from Australia, so it was refreshing to read this one.
The only thing that drew me out of the story was the weird way the author wrote about social media. I have to assume that Kostakis is quite a bit older than the teenagers in this book, and I was actually shocked that it was published so recently with the social media wording. The characters post new status updates multiple times a day, and I don't know ANY social media like that that's been used in (at least) the last 5 years. The teenagers also sound awkward when talking about technology: 'Theres this app for my phone' - no-one under the age of 30 would EVER say that.
Apart from that point... what an enjoyable and heartwarming novel.
demonsreadtoo's review against another edition
5.0
It’s hard to believe how good this was. After Felicity hyping it at the Brisbane PTA event earlier in the year, I decided I’d probably keep an eye out for it. But with three or four months to wait for the release, and adding in my goldfish memory, it slipped by me until a random trip into a Dymocks store on Election Day. I’m so glad I spotted it, finally finding something that was able to reignite my love of reading. Honestly, this past year, I haven’t been able to say I was truly hooked on anything I’ve picked up, well, until now. I’ve enjoyed some of them, but The First Third was just plain freaking awesome. And yes, I’m sure my roommates have heard me use those exact words these past few days. If I could have skipped my cousin’s wedding yesterday to finish this book, I would have.
Read the full review at my blog, Demons Read Too
Read the full review at my blog, Demons Read Too
reneelizabeth_'s review against another edition
4.0
Lovely & Heartwarming, I'm not an Greek, but as an Italian it was all so relatable, nostalgic and lovely.
sharyn_swanepoel's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A delight.
zwsimon's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
theveryhungrythesaurus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? No
5.0
megelizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
"Mum wanted us to see Yiayia before the surgery. In case. She didn’t use those words, but you could feel them hanging over us. We each sat on a chair pulled right up to Yiayia’s bed, even Peter. As she spoke we quietly committed her subtle mannerisms to memory.
In case."
I thoroughly adored this odd little coming-of-age story. I loved the family relationships at its heart, and found the ways the various tensions between the members of the family are explored to be brilliant. I also really loved the friendship between Bill and Lucas. The story is so quietly powerful and does such a great job of painting some of the intricacies of disability, sexuality (though there is some implied homophobia from one character that I do wish had been explored a bit more), illness, and family life.
I will say that the Hayley storyline didn't do too much for me personally, but this didn't bother me enough to stop me adoring this book, and definitely didn't stop my heart from breaking at multiple points. This was my first time reading from this author, and I'm definitely now keen to pick up more of his books. His writing style is fairly simple but so compelling, and I was just hooked.
I thoroughly adored this odd little coming-of-age story. I loved the family relationships at its heart, and found the ways the various tensions between the members of the family are explored to be brilliant. I also really loved the friendship between Bill and Lucas. The story is so quietly powerful and does such a great job of painting some of the intricacies of disability, sexuality (though there is some implied homophobia from one character that I do wish had been explored a bit more), illness, and family life.
I will say that the Hayley storyline didn't do too much for me personally, but this didn't bother me enough to stop me adoring this book, and definitely didn't stop my heart from breaking at multiple points. This was my first time reading from this author, and I'm definitely now keen to pick up more of his books. His writing style is fairly simple but so compelling, and I was just hooked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Ableism and Homophobia
gabbyreadswithtea's review against another edition
5.0
I remember seeing this book in the store, years ago, when it had first come out. I hadn’t heard anything about it, yet somehow I felt like I needed to read it.
It was years later before I actually decided to pick it up from my library’s ELibrary.
I am so glad I picked this up, as a fellow wog, I related to this book so much. I could see my Nonna in Yiaya (who I luckily, still have around), and my family in Bills’.
Even for someone who might not relate to it just as much as I had; I still think this is worth reading. For one, there is so much diversity in this novel (physical disabilities, race, sexuality), but mostly- it is incredibly inspiring. Will Kostakis knows how to write a book.
This story was a punch in the heart and I couldn’t be more thankful for it.
It was years later before I actually decided to pick it up from my library’s ELibrary.
I am so glad I picked this up, as a fellow wog, I related to this book so much. I could see my Nonna in Yiaya (who I luckily, still have around), and my family in Bills’.
Even for someone who might not relate to it just as much as I had; I still think this is worth reading. For one, there is so much diversity in this novel (physical disabilities, race, sexuality), but mostly- it is incredibly inspiring. Will Kostakis knows how to write a book.
This story was a punch in the heart and I couldn’t be more thankful for it.
littleelfman's review against another edition
4.0
A funny and touching family story which, even with its Greek flavour, completely reminded me of my own family.
bellat05's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0