Reviews with content warning for Terminal illness - Mayflies

This book was very good, a solid 4 star read and one I would recommend. When I picked it up in a charity shop I thought it might be queer which intrigued me but it’s not. And to be honest I think I preferred this because O’Hagan really places male friendship and all that comes with it in high regard - it’s a heart warming tribute to this kind of platonic love between men that I don’t feel is really expressed much in books and shows, ‘banter’ is but the real love, affection and comfort one feels for a friend is rarely given the emphasis it deserves. Really beautiful. It’s also a love letter to music.

This is a book of two parts: the first taking place over the summer of 1986 where out MC James and his childhood friend Tully have not long finished school and trying to figure out what to do with their lives. They decide to go to a concert in Manchester with fellow friends Tibbs, Dr Clogs, Hogg and Limbo (nicknames) where they revel in the music they hold so dearly. It’s a time of youthful excesses and having fun, here they agree to go at life differently. The music, show and film references of the 80s was really great - I love this decade - and it’s written so well, like you’re there. We then go to autumn 2017 and Tully rings to let James know of some bad news, he’s dying of cancer and has a last request for his best friend - one James feels obligated to do but it’s not without reservations. There is more to the story but I don’t want to spoil anything.

The characters are written very well, especially James and Tully, they’re developed and mostly loveable. There is obviously things and aspects I didn’t particularly like but overall this is done well. The general writing is also quite good, lyrical and well-penned at times, I underlined quite a few quotes and passages as well. The pacing is okay but a little disjointed like it’s quite slow in 1986 with a lot more detail then fast moving in 2017, also missing out some sections - Yhh not too sure on this but it did come together. I would say there is quite a bit of repetition of certain things and conversations which could’ve been omitted. Now whilst I loved the 80s references, I really don’t like reading about present day things like Netflix or vaping for example (unless the book is a contemporary but Maylifes I would classify in the literary genre) and Yhh I just don’t like it for some reason. The descriptions of drug taking Is also something I don’t like reading and it’s a added a bit too much for my liking.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this and would definitely it. There are points I didn’t like but more good then bad and it’s refreshing how O’Hagan focuses on the platonic friendship love between two men. And the 80s setting I love - wish I could travel back to experience the music and vibe in real life. I’m gonna watch the BBC adaptation and make a review/comparison video for my YouTube channel so chalk that out if you’re interested.

Content Warnings

danaaliyalevinson's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I liked it. I may have even liked it a lot. The characters are fun. The prose is sharp, witty, and buoyant. But I didn’t love it. I can’t get into it too much without spoilers, but I’ll say it’s a book with an ending that is a forgone conclusion (intentionally). And for me, books structured in this way really need to harness that forgone ending to transform their characters through the book’s inevitable conclusion. Otherwise, for me, there’s nothing to hold onto and no surprises in the narrative. For me, the characters largely stayed the same from start to finish. And the relationships were fun and dynamic for sure. But without some way in which the march toward the book’s ending fundamentally altered them or their relational dynamics, it was hard for me to attach to the story. However, again, the characters were wonderful and I think the author did a great job at getting us invested in them individually, just not in the story they were being challenged with, if that makes sense.

Content Warnings

joensign's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

kairhone's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective 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

Content Warnings

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