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blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I've read SO many books about grief that I expected this one to be just another run-of-the-mill novel about loss. In some ways, it is, in that it's about a family who has experienced a tragedy and the different ways in which they deal with it. In other ways, it's not. At its core, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS is actually about being seen, something Pup struggles with as the youngest in a big family, the average student in a clan of achievers, and the quiet, steady friend who puts up with being taken advantage of. It's impossible not to root for him as he finally finds his voice and takes a stand. I loved him as a character. The depiction of the Flanagan family is actually my favorite part of this novel. They're a loud, messy brood and that rings with authenticity for me since I also come from a large family. In fact, everything about this story rang true to me, which is probably why I FELT it so deeply. It's not all serious, though - there are some funny parts. All in all, it's a thoughtful, well-balanced novel that gave me all the feels.
briannethebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
As the youngest of seven siblings, Pup Flanagan got used to flying under the radar. Since one of his older brothers, Patrick, passed away his family has avoided talking about him all together, even at their big family dinners every Sunday. The only time he acknowledges his dead brother is at his school's grief group, where he met his best friend/crush, Izzy. Pup has been pining after Izzy since freshman year, patiently waiting for her and her boyfriend to break up to take his shot. At grief group, the members discuss the "signs" they receive from their deceased loved ones. Pup patiently awaits for a sign from Patrick that he's watching over him, but those signs never seem to come. Though the Flanagan family is big, they grieve alone for Patrick. On the verge of failing art, Pup picks up photography as a last ditch effort to save his grade, and in it finds a way to finally grieve for his brother.
I wasn't sure how sad this one would be based on the description, but it ended up being really well-balanced between though-provoking, sad, and humorous. I loved Pup's awkwardness, and it was fun watching him grow up and figure out who he is. One of my favorite young adult novels I have read this year.
I wasn't sure how sad this one would be based on the description, but it ended up being really well-balanced between though-provoking, sad, and humorous. I loved Pup's awkwardness, and it was fun watching him grow up and figure out who he is. One of my favorite young adult novels I have read this year.
sarah_grey's review against another edition
5.0
I'm sorry for your loss if you haven't read this book about grief and mourning
joyousreads132's review against another edition
5.0
At times, this book reads like a written version of Shameless -- a tv series featuring a dysfunctional family whose father is neglectful and deranged personified. His kids learned to take care of themselves and most often would be embroiled in violence, drugs, alcohol and sex. But this book is not to that extreme. Instead of a neglectful head of the family, the parents live in their own bubble of oblivion; escaping in their own fantasy that life is good and normal, numbed from the grief with the loss of their son.
Pup Flanagan, the youngest of a brood of eight learned to exist like a household furniture. Nobody really cares if he's tanking his grades. For the most part, he's accepted it. But there are days when he wishes someone would care. He idolized his older brother Patrick but when he died, the family imploded from the inside. He still has the support of his sister, and sometimes, when Luke, his other older brother is sober, he finds a bit of comfort knowing he's somewhat present in his life.
When he gets the opportunity to salvage his grades through an elective Photography class, he did his best to flourish in his way. Surprisingly enough, the photos he submitted won that qualified him for the national competition. And with this success, life seems to be getting a bit better. His long time crush starts paying attention to him, and for a time, he doesn't feel like he's drowning.
Art can sometimes expose a part of you that you're more than likely to hide. Your fears, your emotions, your dreams and aspirations -- even nightmares. In this case, Pup starts learning about his family and why practically each one has learned how to avoid talking about their feelings and the fact that losing Patrick was like losing the collective hearts of the family. It is sad and my heart broke for Pup over and over again. He lost his brother, his best friend -- his idol. The one who never did once treat him unkindly, and was, for his short life like a father to Pup. Because their parents are older, they're almost his grandparents. So everyone walked around them on eggshells. Making sure that their world is on even keel even though it's far from it.
Finding this book was like the ultimate hubris. I never expected to be so affected by it. Pup was a character who burrow himself into me like a sliver. He made me think about all the other kids out there who are struggling and alone even if they're surrounded by their own family. It also made me think about the importance of art as a reflection of our inner selves, inspiration for others, and a way to heal our inner turmoil.
Pup Flanagan, the youngest of a brood of eight learned to exist like a household furniture. Nobody really cares if he's tanking his grades. For the most part, he's accepted it. But there are days when he wishes someone would care. He idolized his older brother Patrick but when he died, the family imploded from the inside. He still has the support of his sister, and sometimes, when Luke, his other older brother is sober, he finds a bit of comfort knowing he's somewhat present in his life.
When he gets the opportunity to salvage his grades through an elective Photography class, he did his best to flourish in his way. Surprisingly enough, the photos he submitted won that qualified him for the national competition. And with this success, life seems to be getting a bit better. His long time crush starts paying attention to him, and for a time, he doesn't feel like he's drowning.
Art can sometimes expose a part of you that you're more than likely to hide. Your fears, your emotions, your dreams and aspirations -- even nightmares. In this case, Pup starts learning about his family and why practically each one has learned how to avoid talking about their feelings and the fact that losing Patrick was like losing the collective hearts of the family. It is sad and my heart broke for Pup over and over again. He lost his brother, his best friend -- his idol. The one who never did once treat him unkindly, and was, for his short life like a father to Pup. Because their parents are older, they're almost his grandparents. So everyone walked around them on eggshells. Making sure that their world is on even keel even though it's far from it.
Finding this book was like the ultimate hubris. I never expected to be so affected by it. Pup was a character who burrow himself into me like a sliver. He made me think about all the other kids out there who are struggling and alone even if they're surrounded by their own family. It also made me think about the importance of art as a reflection of our inner selves, inspiration for others, and a way to heal our inner turmoil.
ebralz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good one. I probably would have never found this book if it weren’t for one of my committees and I’m so glad it came into my life. I loved how it was 3 years after his brothers death because grief doesn’t have a time limit. I loved the big family. While the country where the love interest is from felt a bit random the overall point of including it was not and flowed well.
lisamparkin's review against another edition
4.0
A straightforward story that touches on undealt with grief and loss. I love how therapy plays such a crucial part of the story and how many teen boy tropes are expertly navigated. Plus, I appreciated how art was used as a tool of healing.
Some moments I struggled to connect with, which is why this wasn't a total homerun for me. But I absolutely enjoyed this story overall.
Some moments I struggled to connect with, which is why this wasn't a total homerun for me. But I absolutely enjoyed this story overall.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
A 2020 BFYA nominee! Check out the blog post here:
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2019/07/26/best-fiction-young-adults-bfya2020-nominees-round-july-26-edition/
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2019/07/26/best-fiction-young-adults-bfya2020-nominees-round-july-26-edition/
morganbrabender's review against another edition
4.0
This book was beautiful. A story of grief and loss and the un-talked-about-things-that-we-should-talk-about. I really really loved Pup and his family. I really loved the way he discovered photography as a means of healing. And I loved the depth that this book doesn’t hesitate to go to. A quick read and a good one.
megs2kool's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0