The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
nisanatreads's review against another edition
- 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
The book contains stories of an American living in Sofia, Bulgaria, as a teacher for bilingual high schoolers. They all center around his queerness but highlight different aspects. There are stories that tackle his relationships with his students, his mentoring of queer youth and the responsibility he feels to make them feel understood and seen. Then there are stories that are hard to stomach (that in my opinion should've had trigger warnings!) because they showcase BDSM sex scenes that have nothing in common with what's depicted in popular culture today. But they're also psychological and deeply interesting to read because of the shifting dynamics between the men and cultures.
My favourite parts were whenever his boyfriend from Portugal came up because it felt uneasy but also like a whirlwind romance all at once. It made me appreciate how well Greenwell writes emotional turmoil. ❤️🩹
I have to admit that I know next to nothing about Bulgaria and Bulgarians. This novel makes a wonderful case of one day visiting. Obviously the political landscape is not what draws me in but rather the depiction of how politics and recent history have shaped this country and its people.
Find me on Instagram @nisanatreads
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
pdedgar'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Vomit and War
remimicha's review against another edition
I’m alarmed at the number of reviews that refer to a rape scene as a sex scene. If you are a survivor of trauma please tread with extreme caution. The content warnings I placed under explicit/graphic were entered intentionally. As I only made it to the end of the second chapter this is not an exhaustive list. I’ve included more information as a spoiler using specific lines from the book. 0/10 absolutely did not finish.
Content warnings not included in the options:
Homophobic slurs, degradation, urine, victim blaming
Graphic: Excrement, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Torture, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Confinement, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Body shaming, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
oobimooski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
oyveyori's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
chelseanicoletta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
dcllins's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
kell_xavi's review against another edition
4.0
There’s something new in the final chapter, a shift that isn’t wholly unexpected but that complicates previous moments and gives a desire a harsh glare. There’s sadness again, in that, a coming clean of shame. This is a second meaning of the title, and I appreciated how the stories developed from beginning to end, at once shedding naïveté and gaining something harder, less pliable.
I’m glad to have found these stories, this thread of living in Bulgaria, teaching and touching, protesting and accepting.
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Cursing, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcohol
moneyispizza'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: Sexual content and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol