katemal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
babayagasaga's review against another edition
I just got busy and never came back to it.
lillyll's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jessi_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ralfwgh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book left me heartbroken, and the subtle allusions to jewish generational trauma were so well done with such a soft touch.
lstankova's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
daturas's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oh man. Gay boys killing. Can't go wrong with that.
I'm a gentile (not Jewish, hope I'm using that word right?) so I'm not qualified to speak on the Jewish representation in the book. Nothing immediately stood out to me or gave me any red flags.
This book was a gut punch every time I picked it up. The lead character is deeply full of self-loathing in such a beautiful way. The book is written gorgeously--I annotated it and it's full to the brim of highlights. You know from the beginning how the book is going to end, or at least you think you do; it's the "how do we get here?" that hooks you, and the "where do we go next?" once it happens that keeps you held at knifepoint. Paul is a fascinating main character because he's so unreliable but so sure of himself that upon first glance you trust his narration without a second thought. Julian is seemingly full of contradictions and nearly impossible to get a clear read on for most of the book because of how unreliable Paul's narration is--that's part of the intrigue.
I was on the edge of my seat this whole read. I had the time of my life every time I had to pick it up, but I did have to balance it with a lighter book for my own sake. The only thing making this a 4.5 instead of a 5 is that sometimes Paul's self-doubt & self-loathing got to be overwhelming--for some readers it may be too much. I promise you, it's worth it to power through. Distance yourself and you will be just fine.
Thank you to Julien for reccing this book to me and changing my brain chemistry as a result. <3
I'm a gentile (not Jewish, hope I'm using that word right?) so I'm not qualified to speak on the Jewish representation in the book. Nothing immediately stood out to me or gave me any red flags.
This book was a gut punch every time I picked it up. The lead character is deeply full of self-loathing in such a beautiful way. The book is written gorgeously--I annotated it and it's full to the brim of highlights. You know from the beginning how the book is going to end, or at least you think you do; it's the "how do we get here?" that hooks you, and the "where do we go next?" once it happens that keeps you held at knifepoint. Paul is a fascinating main character because he's so unreliable but so sure of himself that upon first glance you trust his narration without a second thought. Julian is seemingly full of contradictions and nearly impossible to get a clear read on for most of the book because of how unreliable Paul's narration is--that's part of the intrigue.
I was on the edge of my seat this whole read. I had the time of my life every time I had to pick it up, but I did have to balance it with a lighter book for my own sake. The only thing making this a 4.5 instead of a 5 is that sometimes Paul's self-doubt & self-loathing got to be overwhelming--for some readers it may be too much. I promise you, it's worth it to power through. Distance yourself and you will be just fine.
Thank you to Julien for reccing this book to me and changing my brain chemistry as a result. <3
ella_pb13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
extinctpanda's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
This book reminded me how really bad depression feels. But in a compelling way