slackland's review against another edition
5.0
Quite possibly the most beautiful book I have ever read.
sssam_c's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
This started out amazing, got kind of muddled for me in the middle and ended brilliantly. This is about a kind of love triangle between Jonathan, his best friend Bobby and Clare.
Jonathan and Bobby meet as teenagers and become inseperable. While Jonathan is gay, it is less clear what Bobby is, besides devoted to Jonathan. When Jonathan moves away to New York City (this is a Cunningham novel, so of course there's NYC... and complicated sibling relationships and some drugs, but not that many), he meets Clare. They, platonically, love each other. When Bobby moves to the city, he and Clare also fall in love - less platonically. And then Clare gets pregnant.
I don't want to spoil the story, but I can just say, that this novel isn't great because of the story itself but because of the wonderful writing style and its characters. This is also why I can't give the book 5 stars: Clare just never really clicked for me, especially in the chapters from her point of view. Was I not supposed to like her? Was I supposed to see this, ultimatively, as a love story between Jonathan and Bobby? I'm not sure. I did like the chapters from Jonathan's mother Alice, but I do always find it harder to relate to Cunningham's female characters and I don't think that's a coincidence. They just don't feel real, which is especially bad in novels that are so character-driven.
Despite this, I really enjoyed the book overall.
This started out amazing, got kind of muddled for me in the middle and ended brilliantly. This is about a kind of love triangle between Jonathan, his best friend Bobby and Clare.
Jonathan and Bobby meet as teenagers and become inseperable. While Jonathan is gay, it is less clear what Bobby is, besides devoted to Jonathan. When Jonathan moves away to New York City (this is a Cunningham novel, so of course there's NYC... and complicated sibling relationships and some drugs, but not that many), he meets Clare. They, platonically, love each other. When Bobby moves to the city, he and Clare also fall in love - less platonically. And then Clare gets pregnant.
I don't want to spoil the story, but I can just say, that this novel isn't great because of the story itself but because of the wonderful writing style and its characters. This is also why I can't give the book 5 stars: Clare just never really clicked for me, especially in the chapters from her point of view. Was I not supposed to like her? Was I supposed to see this, ultimatively, as a love story between Jonathan and Bobby? I'm not sure. I did like the chapters from Jonathan's mother Alice, but I do always find it harder to relate to Cunningham's female characters and I don't think that's a coincidence. They just don't feel real, which is especially bad in novels that are so character-driven.
Despite this, I really enjoyed the book overall.
cicadagirll's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
anduman'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? Yes
4.25
mattyzmom's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was superb! I hated to put this book down! I didn't like the ending, I think she should have stayed with the boys. Relationships are complicated and this story portrays that. It also reinforces the notion that family does not have to be blood.
babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
5.0
I found the movie surfing channels during a bout of insomnia and loved it. The book is even more endearing. I enjoyed it thoroughly and have often fantasized of having a unique love triangle like the characters of this novel. I tried once, and it failed. But that takes nothing away from the beauty that is this book. Highly recommended.
chumwhat's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
wombat_88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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