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tigertheory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
First, the good parts. The novel is well-planned and it’s written in a way that feels like it’s been (albeit somewhat badly) translated from English which is a fun gimmick. I like Wells' style, even though you can tell that he’s more of a novelist than a poet (don’t know if it was necessary to include verse). At some points you can tell that he is not intimately familiar with US-American culture but overall I would say his picture of 1980s Americana holds up. Some points for the portrayal of men’s emotions and different ways to handle them which I appreciate, especially in YA.
The parts on grief and the loss of a parent (not a spoiler, that’s literally the first sentence) ring true – maybe even a bit too much; I was counting on this being a comfort read and it had me bawling. Too close to home.
Anyway.
I’m not a big fan of YA to begin with (never was, even as a teen) and this one felt both very rigid and simplistic in its construction and above all, decidedly male.
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal death and Sexual violence
staubfinger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death of parent
caprisun44444's review against another edition
- 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
Is one of these books that inspires you to completely live. I rlly love the characters and their development.
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
m_maria's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Child abuse
clarname's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
softbooknerd's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Er ist nicht, was du nicht gedacht hast."
-
"Death is not what you thought it is.
It's not what you didn't think it is."
My second Wells! And damn, I cried again.
I love the colorful worlds Wells creates with his words. His writing style makes it so easy to imagine the city and the characters, it's really like a movie playing before your eyes.
The characters are almost all flawed and all are loveable! I especially adored Cameron and Brandon "Hightower"~
And I felt so much for the protagonist, Sam.
As I lost my mother a few years ago as well I fully understand his complicated feelings towards his. The anger, being annoyed, the shame, the emptiness and grief. It was all so well and realistically portraied.
Also I liked how the poems were intergrated into the story, it was really clever.
As some parts of the story take place in an old cinema Wells also included some "credits" at the end, which was a really cool idea!
All in all it was a deeply touching and inspiring Coming of Age book ❤️
Thanks to @wayfarewithbooks for lending me this beautiful beautiful book!
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Racism
rey_art3mis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Violence
margaretamys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
tfortilney's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
vipagirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent