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lucyrudd's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
epeolatrist's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were parts of this book that I loved and parts that I didn't care for. First things first, Why We Broke Up is a fun little book. The illustrations are cute and interesting and I honestly thought that they tied the story together quite well. Unfortunately, the illustrations didn't make up for the parts that I didn't really care for.
Let's start with Ed Slaterton as a character. Ed is a slimy, dull, and unlikeable character. And I think that that's the point of his character, because Min is vibrant and intelligent while he's just blah. I don't really think that readers are supposed to like him. I didn't. I tolerated him, but every time that I had to read his dialogue, I got frustrated with all the "OK"s and the "Um"s.
I will say that I think Min's character is written well and I think that her quirks are what made the story more interesting, for me. Her words at the end of the book, especially, got to me. I truly felt that they were the feelings of a teenage girl, and that made me both happy and sad. To me, she felt more real than any other character in the story, which is refreshing.
I won't lie, there were lots of parts to this story that had me turning pages as fast as I could, waiting to see what was next. However, there were equal amounts of parts that I thought were drawn out and boring. The first half really didn't grab me and I debated leaving it on DNF. I'm glad that I didn't, but if you can't trek through the boring parts, I don't recommend this one to you.
Overall, I liked Why We Broke Up. Is it one of my favorites? No. Will I reread in the future? Probably not. But the book is unique with its art and all of the movie references, which I thought were a nice touch. During the first half of the book, I feared that this one would be a dud, but it turned out okay and I'm generally happy that I gave it a chance.
Let's start with Ed Slaterton as a character. Ed is a slimy, dull, and unlikeable character. And I think that that's the point of his character, because Min is vibrant and intelligent while he's just blah. I don't really think that readers are supposed to like him. I didn't. I tolerated him, but every time that I had to read his dialogue, I got frustrated with all the "OK"s and the "Um"s.
I will say that I think Min's character is written well and I think that her quirks are what made the story more interesting, for me. Her words at the end of the book, especially, got to me. I truly felt that they were the feelings of a teenage girl, and that made me both happy and sad. To me, she felt more real than any other character in the story, which is refreshing.
I won't lie, there were lots of parts to this story that had me turning pages as fast as I could, waiting to see what was next. However, there were equal amounts of parts that I thought were drawn out and boring. The first half really didn't grab me and I debated leaving it on DNF. I'm glad that I didn't, but if you can't trek through the boring parts, I don't recommend this one to you.
Overall, I liked Why We Broke Up. Is it one of my favorites? No. Will I reread in the future? Probably not. But the book is unique with its art and all of the movie references, which I thought were a nice touch. During the first half of the book, I feared that this one would be a dud, but it turned out okay and I'm generally happy that I gave it a chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, and Grief
nixicat1's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
balfies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm YELLING this book is so good. Daniel Handler is a genius. This is crackling with wit and character and poetry and it's so funny and also I was GOBSMACKED by the ending, truly YOWCHED by it.
A gorgeously illustrated account of first love and first heartbreak. Really captures how Big and Real your first relationship is, and also how the most wonderful person in your world ends up being a Deadset Fucking Prick. Isn't that the way with high school boyfriends?
A gorgeously illustrated account of first love and first heartbreak. Really captures how Big and Real your first relationship is, and also how the most wonderful person in your world ends up being a Deadset Fucking Prick. Isn't that the way with high school boyfriends?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Alcohol
abomine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
4.0
This was an interesting format for a story like this, but I was hoping that this book would go a bit more into the complexity and messiness of a toxic relationship. Instead, their final reason for breaking up at the story's climax felt pretty standard for many doomed romances, teenage, toxic, or otherwise, and ultimately felt underwhelming in the face of such an interesting premise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Chronic illness
itsheyfay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death and Grief