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lawbooks600's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Representation: First Australian character and another character with autism
Score: Seven points out of ten.
One year ago, I read a book where the protagonist has autism, Peta Lyre's Rating Normal. Unfortunately, that underwhelmed me, so one year later, I tried another novel with a neurodivergent character, Please Don't Hug Me. When I picked that up, it looked promising, and when I was done, it was an enjoyable read, but not the most pleasant.
It starts with the first character I see, Erin, whose last name remains undisclosed, recording her uneventful life thus far in letters. Did I mention Please Don't Hug Me is an epistolary novel? It also has engaging pacing, even with a slow beginning. I wonder what the recipient would say after receiving Erin's letters. Life has been on a downward spiral for Erin after she was fired and then failed her driving test. I understand that life can be so much harder for people who have autism like Erin than neurotypical people, but at least she can move forward from that and not live in the past, which I liked. Even Schoolies, an end of year event, is a struggle for Erin. I'm surprised there's no conversations about masking, or someone acting neurotypical when they're not, only to fit in with society, which worsens their mental health. At least Erin has a support system consisting of one person: her mother.
Toward the latter half of Please Don't Hug Me, Erin questions where her boyfriend is, but unfortunately, she discovers that he died, much to her dismay. The conclusion is bittersweet, as it has some touching and heartwarming moments, but not free from melancholy undertones. To summarise, Please Don't Hug Me is an epistolary novel about a person with autism, but the heavy themes are not for everyone, and it's a more saddening read than I expected.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
One year ago, I read a book where the protagonist has autism, Peta Lyre's Rating Normal. Unfortunately, that underwhelmed me, so one year later, I tried another novel with a neurodivergent character, Please Don't Hug Me. When I picked that up, it looked promising, and when I was done, it was an enjoyable read, but not the most pleasant.
It starts with the first character I see, Erin, whose last name remains undisclosed, recording her uneventful life thus far in letters. Did I mention Please Don't Hug Me is an epistolary novel? It also has engaging pacing, even with a slow beginning. I wonder what the recipient would say after receiving Erin's letters. Life has been on a downward spiral for Erin after she was fired and then failed her driving test. I understand that life can be so much harder for people who have autism like Erin than neurotypical people, but at least she can move forward from that and not live in the past, which I liked. Even Schoolies, an end of year event, is a struggle for Erin. I'm surprised there's no conversations about masking, or someone acting neurotypical when they're not, only to fit in with society, which worsens their mental health. At least Erin has a support system consisting of one person: her mother.
Toward the latter half of Please Don't Hug Me, Erin questions where her boyfriend is, but unfortunately, she discovers that he died, much to her dismay. The conclusion is bittersweet, as it has some touching and heartwarming moments, but not free from melancholy undertones. To summarise, Please Don't Hug Me is an epistolary novel about a person with autism, but the heavy themes are not for everyone, and it's a more saddening read than I expected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Blood
Full trigger warnings: Blood, grief and loss depiction, ableism, bullying, racism, sexist slur, death of a boyfriend and other relatives in the past, drug abusecosmicsapphic's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
becmcgrath's review against another edition
5.0
This book just feels so so important, I cried and I laughed so much. this was a heart-warming and impactful coming-of-age story with a strong focus on family, grief, and identity. It is an #ownvoices novel about Erin, a 17-year-old with ASD. I haven't read as many books as I would like with MC's on the autism spectrum, but from what I have read, this book felt the most real. There was nothing robotic or insincere about Erin (sorry, I'm looking at you The Rosie Project (even if that's not a confirmed ASD character)). This also felt very impactful to me, as I have a younger sister with ASD. Although no two people on the spectrum are alike, it warmed my heart reading about someone who she might be able to relate to, and when she's old enough to read this book she might feel seen.
islamclarin's review against another edition
4.0
Anyone who knows me knows I love some blunt sentences, this entire book was refreshingly to the point which was nice for a change. No unnecessary waffle to wade through. It was cool to read an Autistic female own voices book because I don't think I've ever read or seen anything with a female autistic character like ever.
I personally didn't love the letter format but it did allow for a stream of consciousness style which was nice and I became invested in the elusive character of her brother.
I personally didn't love the letter format but it did allow for a stream of consciousness style which was nice and I became invested in the elusive character of her brother.
Spoiler
The entire driving test scene was comically similar to me attempting to learn to drive with my father, getting into arguments because we are both saying the exact same thing just in different ways. The joys of miscommunication...3lf0nth3sh3lf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
audreysbookcorner's review against another edition
This book wasn't for me. I found the writing too harsh and straightforward.
cec_loves_to_read_books's review against another edition
4.0
Please Don’t Hug Me by Kay Kerr is an authentic and insightful #ownvoices young adult novel. It was equal parts entertaining, poignant, sad, informative and funny. I really enjoyed getting to know the main character, Erin, more as the story progressed and the minor characters that form Erin’s world were realistic and relatable. I don’t want to give away any spoilers by saying too much more but let’s just say I was kept guessing about where Rudy, Erin’s big brother had gone. There were lots of little moments throughout the book that made me want to stop and write something down or take a pic to remember that particular part which to me is the sign of a good read! I know Kay’s new book is about to be released and I’ll definitely be looking out for it.
emily2348's review against another edition
4.5
4.5* love anything that kay kerr writes! there are so little coming of ages about autistic women so this was amazing. an absolutely heartbreaking book however wasn’t a big fan of the letter formant hence 4.5 and not 5 stars. i really need all her books in paperback omg!
brixdan's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
maddydaisy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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