bcat0124's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rebekkaemmi's review against another edition
1.5
Hated the format
I didn’t feel like poetry, it felt like someone who was bad at writing just put their poorly written thoughts on a page without bothering to edit it
I didn’t feel like poetry, it felt like someone who was bad at writing just put their poorly written thoughts on a page without bothering to edit it
remuslupin_fan's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.5
calebormaybenot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
raye_charlie's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
riannereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
montyalmoro's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
klxra's review against another edition
5.0
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a book as captivating as this one. The queer representation in this story is immaculate and the way Atta writes his characters and stories is refreshing and truly draws you into the story. I laughed out loud and cried while reading this story, and I loved every single page.
jamescross's review against another edition
5.0
Anyone who has been here a while knows my unending adoration for Atta’s debut novel, The Black Flamingo. Thanks to the shop, I read an early proof and still have trauma flashbacks to gushing excessively to the author at a pre publication even. For launch I had my mum knit an actual black flamingo, and I learned how to make a tutu for it, using YouTube and excessive swearing.
It’s safe to say this book had a LOT to live up to - and it deftly sidesteps expectations by being so markedly different. Whereas The Black Flamingo was intensely personal, fiercely emotional and spanned a childhood through to blossoming into glorious queer adulthood - it was also more snapshots of emotion and milestone rather than a plotted narrative.
Only at the Weekends on the other hand is much more of a focussed narrative with a definite story - telling that of teenager Mack and his crush on Karim - a very (apparently) straight, sporty popular boy. As the inevitable happens and things develop we go with Mack on a discovery of what it means to be out when who you want is not. With Mack we examine are willing to sacrifice to get who we desire, and then what we might do when life provides an alternative….
There are some similarities too. Atta is wise and incisive when it comes to his observations of the Black experience in the UK, and deftly weaves in the complexity that sexuality and gender bring to an already marginalised community. There are in both explorations of absent parents and differing senses of loss we can have in our adolescence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really liked the way it challenged my preconceptions and made me look into aspects of communities that I don’t have lived experience of. It doesn’t pack the visceral punch of Flamingo, but it doesn’t need to. This story draws its power from its superb character work rather than it’s queer resonance. Atta’s verse has evolved from raw power into a subtler, yet no less beautiful, complete narrative. Mack himself isn’t a fully likeable character, in his actions and expectations, but they are fully motivated by the wants and needs a 16 year old would have and their actions are consistent with some one who is out and raring to get life started. Bad decisions feel in character and justified, and he doesn’t feel like your typical YA character who is about 35 and prone to hood choices and wholesome thoughts.
I like that I have no idea where Atta will take us next, but I’m on board for the ride.
It’s safe to say this book had a LOT to live up to - and it deftly sidesteps expectations by being so markedly different. Whereas The Black Flamingo was intensely personal, fiercely emotional and spanned a childhood through to blossoming into glorious queer adulthood - it was also more snapshots of emotion and milestone rather than a plotted narrative.
Only at the Weekends on the other hand is much more of a focussed narrative with a definite story - telling that of teenager Mack and his crush on Karim - a very (apparently) straight, sporty popular boy. As the inevitable happens and things develop we go with Mack on a discovery of what it means to be out when who you want is not. With Mack we examine are willing to sacrifice to get who we desire, and then what we might do when life provides an alternative….
There are some similarities too. Atta is wise and incisive when it comes to his observations of the Black experience in the UK, and deftly weaves in the complexity that sexuality and gender bring to an already marginalised community. There are in both explorations of absent parents and differing senses of loss we can have in our adolescence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really liked the way it challenged my preconceptions and made me look into aspects of communities that I don’t have lived experience of. It doesn’t pack the visceral punch of Flamingo, but it doesn’t need to. This story draws its power from its superb character work rather than it’s queer resonance. Atta’s verse has evolved from raw power into a subtler, yet no less beautiful, complete narrative. Mack himself isn’t a fully likeable character, in his actions and expectations, but they are fully motivated by the wants and needs a 16 year old would have and their actions are consistent with some one who is out and raring to get life started. Bad decisions feel in character and justified, and he doesn’t feel like your typical YA character who is about 35 and prone to hood choices and wholesome thoughts.
I like that I have no idea where Atta will take us next, but I’m on board for the ride.