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sarahe221's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual assault
wsmythe19's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
A mix of Ondaatje and Darnielle, Porter’s portrayal of youth-at-risk is heartbreaking and insightful. The stream of consciousness style is a major win and does not detract from the story at all. Plus, the reading goes by so fast you forget you’re reading at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Suicide attempt
aroreads's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
bookish_wanderer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt
notcasino's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It's an interesting book but the eriting style isn't something for me. Sometimes it's so loveable and relatble but sometimes it's also very confusing. I really don't know what to think about it.
It gives me really mixed feelings cause I like the topic but it's just... I don't know how to describe it.
It gives me really mixed feelings cause I like the topic but it's just... I don't know how to describe it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sunn_bleach's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm stuck between loving Porter's attachment to the novella and wanting him to write more. "Shy" is one of his more divisive books (and it lacks the magical realism bent of "Lanny" and "Grief..."), but it's a heartrender and it'll speak to anyone who either had a troubled childhood, has known troubled kids, or finds themselves standing at a lake wondering how many rocks it would take. I adore how much Shy connects with music, and that attachment is one of the greater tragedies within the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Violence
ruei's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Porter ranks highly amongst my favourite authors, which makes this relatively low rating even more painful. Style-wise, the writing is as impeccable and boundary pushing as ever, but Shy as a character was so difficult to find relatable or understandable that it was hard to feel invested, especially when the direction the plot was going felt largely predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
lostgwennel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt
sophiepooper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm
gh00st13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Despite my almost-four-star rating, I really enjoyed this book. The reason for my lower star rating is that half way through the book I stopped taking my meds and then could only read the book like it was a rap. Anyways, with that I think I would rate it five stars if I went back on my meds and read it again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Self harm, and Suicide attempt