Reviews

Extremely evocative story of a painful childhood - painful because of poverty and homophobia. But the moments of love and affection that poke through are just as striking. Quite similar to Shuggie Bain in terms of the “ambient violence” (borrowed description) present in the narrator’s working class upbringing.

Worth the read and as a warning the homophobia and racism are pretty unsettling.

sherekaren's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

des808's review against another edition

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slow-paced

4.25

aliss_'s review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bernddasbrot's review

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emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

alexcheser's review against another edition

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3.0

I was really excited by this book after reading a review that talked about how it artfully detailed the culture of violent conservatism in rural France. It was topical for the most recent French election and seemed to have carry over to the United States. Its protagonist, a gay youth, keenly felt all these distinct pressures that I could have felt growing up in Kentucky but thankfully had more loving parents. The book itself is fine, very gripping actually, but it kind of meanders and fizzles out at the end. Based on the narrative, I'd probably like the follow up book rather than this book itself.

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