The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
vicblue'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
2.5
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
sleepyriv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, Grief, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
everie'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? It's complicated
2.75
I hesitated to read it for a long time, mostly because of the title and meh experiences with one of the author's other books, but I now wish I'd read it in college or a book club so I could hash out my thoughts about it with some people and compare takes. So definitely an interesting book!Â
The greek chorus of boys viewing the girls through their own romantic (and limited) notions add a great layer to an intensly fraught, private story they'll never know the truth about. They don't know or understand the Lisbon girls (or even try very hard to, while they're still alive). No matter how they try to insert themselves in their story and pretend closeness to the girls, all they have left in the end are unanswered questions, unaddressed trauma, and a moldering museum of the girls' belongings. Â
The author does a great job of showing how they can't move on from this--though the intense focus on a bunch of horny boys gets old fast (hence the "this coulda been a shorter book") and the last sections of the book go on and on before ending on a strong final two pages. Very literary fiction of you sir but also very clear you bit off more than you could chew with this premise and didn't know exactly how to wrap up.Â
I want to see the movie now!
Graphic: Suicide
kissgn's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Suicide
iris3271's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Self harm
sadiedasie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
ksamaine95's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
The movie was more haunting. The book seemed more dark.Â
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Blood, and Death
siriface's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Ableism, and Body shaming
miraveta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
maythetree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Self harm