goldenaces00's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It starts like a train, full steam ahead, and had me ferociously reading for about the first half. However, new (not as charismatic) characters are introduced, the plot is lost, and the ending left me deeply unsatisfied. It was a really strong, visual, and intimate story that read like poetry at some parts, but overall felt more like a collection of short stories with loose connections than a single novel with a plot. If you like stories about complicated artists that like to have sex, this is a great read. I just wish Taylor would have made his ensemble smaller, focused on character development, and given the readers a more powerful takeaway at the end. There are various subplots that go nowhere and are either tied up too early or never at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Minor: Abortion
schnooglefaceduthie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Kidnapping
lauren_werts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Maybe I was not in the right headspace for this…or maybe this book isn’t for me, but I did not enjoy this book. I only finished it because I purchased it full price.
I was interested in this because I saw a review that said it switched from solo to group perspectives to tell an interesting story. And while it does shift perspectives it did not seem to be in a worthwhile way. Like the last chapter is from a completely new perspective and gave me zero closure for the other characters I was invested in.
I also think to call this a novel is a stretch. It’s more like a collection of short stories that just happen to involve related people and happen somewhat chronologically. But there’s no build up to something bigger, no reason to hear snippets of different perspectives.
I also felt the author was trying to hard to make a statement on too many different topics so instead of leaving me thinking about one topic I just felt like he was as pretentious and performative as the poets in Seamus’s workshop that he was criticizing.
I was interested in this because I saw a review that said it switched from solo to group perspectives to tell an interesting story. And while it does shift perspectives it did not seem to be in a worthwhile way. Like the last chapter is from a completely new perspective and gave me zero closure for the other characters I was invested in.
I also think to call this a novel is a stretch. It’s more like a collection of short stories that just happen to involve related people and happen somewhat chronologically. But there’s no build up to something bigger, no reason to hear snippets of different perspectives.
I also felt the author was trying to hard to make a statement on too many different topics so instead of leaving me thinking about one topic I just felt like he was as pretentious and performative as the poets in Seamus’s workshop that he was criticizing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Rape
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