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bookishsapphicshay's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death and Suicide
Minor: Fatphobia
darlingbudsofrae's review
3.0
An LGBTQ+ book set in the Philippines centering around a closeted lesbian living in a conservative town? Of course I was dead-set on getting this book ever since I found out about it!
The thing with this book is that it pretty much tackles complicated issues eclipsed in a simple and short story. We start with Sam, a closeted 19-year old kid trying to fit herself into her small dominant Christian community to appease her devout Christian mother. Some time she meets widowed Clara who is outcasted by the rest of the community for doing things out of tradition. I was wary at first to pick this book up despite my initial whims because it was so short. Like, 96 pages short. This leaves minimal room for character growth and story development but in hindsight, it was straightforward and I like that. The story doesn't thrust its readers into too overcomplicated matters and we just get to focus on Sam instead.
My main tidbit though is that it seemed to me that this book did not go under revision. The tenses were confusing which definitely made it hard to tell if we're in present time or going down memory lane. I also had a hard time telling whether I am looking into Sam's life or if I'm seeing through Sam's eyes, get what I mean? Additionally, the control and use of language in this one was a little wobbly, and the narration could've honestly been written better. Nevertheless, this is an important book- and I do hope books like this gets appreciated more.
PS.
Love thy neighbor, friends <333
The thing with this book is that it pretty much tackles complicated issues eclipsed in a simple and short story. We start with Sam, a closeted 19-year old kid trying to fit herself into her small dominant Christian community to appease her devout Christian mother. Some time she meets widowed Clara who is outcasted by the rest of the community for doing things out of tradition. I was wary at first to pick this book up despite my initial whims because it was so short. Like, 96 pages short. This leaves minimal room for character growth and story development but in hindsight, it was straightforward and I like that. The story doesn't thrust its readers into too overcomplicated matters and we just get to focus on Sam instead.
My main tidbit though is that it seemed to me that this book did not go under revision. The tenses were confusing which definitely made it hard to tell if we're in present time or going down memory lane. I also had a hard time telling whether I am looking into Sam's life or if I'm seeing through Sam's eyes, get what I mean? Additionally, the control and use of language in this one was a little wobbly, and the narration could've honestly been written better. Nevertheless, this is an important book- and I do hope books like this gets appreciated more.
PS.
Love thy neighbor, friends <333
aegaeon's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide
chaptersinabottle's review
4.0
This was so good! I, initially, had no idea what the book was about (Yes, it was a cover buy. Sue me.), I was pleasantly surprised tho! The wit, the humor, I LOVE. I wasn't that into the relationship because I think it could've had a more solid build-up, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. This one's a great read, highly recommend!
TW // suicide, homophobia
TW // suicide, homophobia
pamshenanigans's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
2.5
"They forced me into a square hole when I had been a round peg all along."
Not sure how I feel about this book, but if the goal is to enrage me about homophobic Christians, then it has served its purpose.
It was a short book so I get how the story feels rushed and the characters not fleshed out enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Suicide
theultmtfangirl's review
4.0
Actually a 3.7 but I rounded it up to a 4 because why not? The few things I was just a bit jarred with was the writing style and the few edits that my editorial brain suddenly points out. But overall, pretty good.
We do not pray the gay away in this household. Amen!
We do not pray the gay away in this household. Amen!