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diegor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Lyrical, heart-breaking, funny and yet tragic. A worthy read about friendship, the meaning and sense of this bizzarre thing we cal "life" and some bloody good music.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
karishall18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Mayflies is a reflective, nostalgic, and extremely sad novel. It’s interesting because half of the novel is about teenage boys which I am, quite frankly, a bit disinterested in reading about. Which is maybe a flaw of mine. Anyway, I liked James a lot as a protagonist, I liked the dynamic between the teenage boys, even if I did not understand 90% of the 80’s references of the section of them being younger. I found the section where they are middle-aged to be more engaging personally. O’Hagan really strikes a fine balance of making this novel such a lighthearted exploration of male friendship and a soul-crushing, nauseating story of loss. I did feel sick at times reading this because of the realisation that Tully was going to lose his life and James was going to lose a platonic soulmate. You feel through this novel how cruel it all is on everyone. Basically, it is very upsetting. But I loved and really appreciated the ending, because as you read towards the end of the novel, it inevitably feels like hurtling towards Tully’s death, towards his absence, towards an unknown. So to make Tully’s ending (and his death, so to speak), full of life, O’Hagan leaves the novel lively and joyful, which is who the character was. It is really worth a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
shaleen64's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
4.0
The book is split into two halves and reads like two different books. Whilst I have to say I didn’t really enjoy the first half it was certainly necessary to building the picture of Tully and James’s friendship. For those who better relate to the era it would be more engaging.
However, the second half is beautifully written and is overwhelmingly emotional, forcing you to feel such a range of emotions in relatively few pages. This alone, in my opinion, makes it a four star read.
However, the second half is beautifully written and is overwhelmingly emotional, forcing you to feel such a range of emotions in relatively few pages. This alone, in my opinion, makes it a four star read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness, Sexism, and Vomit
thesvnthsense's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Terminal illness
potterpav's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
wow. what a short but utterly compelling read. books about sad topics that handle them in a light hearted manner will always do me in and this was no exception! whilst i’m not giving this book more than 4 stars (mainly bc i thought it could done w more filling out of when they were young) it is still a beautiful piece of prose, it’s truly stunning. there were some lines in this book that made me put my copy down and stare at a wall for a little bit. but that’s exactly what these kind of books are meant to make you do - remember humanity and how the people around you are the most crucial elements of your life!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Terminal illness
liliana92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really loved everything about Tully and Jimmy's story. The beginning was very interesting and the end was great, heartfelt and such a sweet depiction of a lifelong friendship.
But I must say all the Manchester trip stuff, the other friends and all the 80s music references kind of lost me there for a sec. Also, how Jimmy hinted, when older, that he had a period of not being as connected with Tully, but then not exploring futher, left me feeling like i was missing something.
Overall, a worth read though. One I would recommend.
But I must say all the Manchester trip stuff, the other friends and all the 80s music references kind of lost me there for a sec. Also, how Jimmy hinted, when older, that he had a period of not being as connected with Tully, but then not exploring futher, left me feeling like i was missing something.
Overall, a worth read though. One I would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
giralka's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I appreciate the overall storyline; however, I noticed a disconnect between the first and second halves. While the narrative was straightforward, I felt it lacked the seamless blend I anticipated, especially compared to the narrator's poetic style. I was expecting a more impactful and poignant experience, but instead, I found myself feeling frustrated and relieved to finally finish the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
itsredandread's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
irislovescats's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Drug use, and Terminal illness
jjb21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Some absolutely beautiful writing. A very evocative setting, time, place and feeling. Funny in places. Some hugely thought-provoking concepts and sections. Just felt like I didn’t go deep enough with the characters. But perhaps that’s the point?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Vomit