ctinawest's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So so so sad and raw and real. So many times I could have replaced members of my family with characters in this book. It honestly took me a few months to finish because I had to keep putting it down. Still, 5 stars and then some!
sleeprunreadrepeat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
megancoward12's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amiett's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
mikeybjones's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gut-wrenching. If you’re from the south or grew up in a small religious town, this book is important for you to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, and Homophobia
Moderate: Eating disorder and Bullying
Minor: Fatphobia
sadiereadsagain's review
3.0
All I gathered before going into this books was that it was about a man returning from New York to a small Appalachian town because he was dying of AIDS.
This is set in the 1980's, which was the height of the AIDS crisis, and it's a period of history that I'm really interested in. I read [b:The Great Believers|45304101|The Great Believers|Rebecca Makkai|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556229367l/45304101._SY75_.jpg|58531414] by [a:Rebecca Makkai|3134707|Rebecca Makkai|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1313468002p2/3134707.jpg] last year; I've been really enjoying watching Pose on Netflix; and I want to get to It's A Sin, which is set in Britain around the same time as well.
This is told through not only the eyes of Brian - who's a 24 year old man who has seen his friends and his boyfriend die from the disease that's now claiming him - but also through the eyes of his family to whom he returns. And his return is not met with much warmth, understanding or compassion. Which might not be surprising given the time the book is set, but which still made me angry and disgusted at the reactions of not just the town's people but even Brian's own family.
I think what stuck with me is that this was the experience of so many young men. It's heartbreaking, and although living with AIDS is far different now, I don't doubt that for some gay men this sort of prejudice continues, whether they have the disease or not. That side of the story makes this a slightly tough read, but despite the subject this book is actually surprisingly light. It's impressive that Sickles is able to balance the the subject matter that way, but actually for me it was kind of what pulled it down - it was just a little bit too light for me. And much in the way that I felt the storyline of Fiona in The Great Believers detracts from where I thought the real focus should have been and stayed, so I felt in this book with some of the focus on Brian's teenage sister. But still, that isn't a huge criticism because I actually really did enjoy this book. I just guess I like my reads a little grittier.
This is set in the 1980's, which was the height of the AIDS crisis, and it's a period of history that I'm really interested in. I read [b:The Great Believers|45304101|The Great Believers|Rebecca Makkai|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556229367l/45304101._SY75_.jpg|58531414] by [a:Rebecca Makkai|3134707|Rebecca Makkai|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1313468002p2/3134707.jpg] last year; I've been really enjoying watching Pose on Netflix; and I want to get to It's A Sin, which is set in Britain around the same time as well.
This is told through not only the eyes of Brian - who's a 24 year old man who has seen his friends and his boyfriend die from the disease that's now claiming him - but also through the eyes of his family to whom he returns. And his return is not met with much warmth, understanding or compassion. Which might not be surprising given the time the book is set, but which still made me angry and disgusted at the reactions of not just the town's people but even Brian's own family.
I think what stuck with me is that this was the experience of so many young men. It's heartbreaking, and although living with AIDS is far different now, I don't doubt that for some gay men this sort of prejudice continues, whether they have the disease or not. That side of the story makes this a slightly tough read, but despite the subject this book is actually surprisingly light. It's impressive that Sickles is able to balance the the subject matter that way, but actually for me it was kind of what pulled it down - it was just a little bit too light for me. And much in the way that I felt the storyline of Fiona in The Great Believers detracts from where I thought the real focus should have been and stayed, so I felt in this book with some of the focus on Brian's teenage sister. But still, that isn't a huge criticism because I actually really did enjoy this book. I just guess I like my reads a little grittier.
tonimeter's review
3.0
For an average reader, this book might be great and I can understand why. Going deeper into the literary sense, this is such a hard topic that didn’t fully work for me.
I didn’t like how the reader doesn’t get to know much of the main character’s personality, only that he’s gay and has AIDS. The other thing that bothered me a lot, and I felt such disappointment towards the writer, is that homosexuality is presented as someone’s only physical urge and need for sex in this book.
A lot of could have been better in this, but these two facts have ruined my full feeling for the book and the character, among the others. As I've said in the beginning, this book can be either great for one or a failure for another.
I didn’t like how the reader doesn’t get to know much of the main character’s personality, only that he’s gay and has AIDS. The other thing that bothered me a lot, and I felt such disappointment towards the writer, is that homosexuality is presented as someone’s only physical urge and need for sex in this book.
A lot of could have been better in this, but these two facts have ruined my full feeling for the book and the character, among the others. As I've said in the beginning, this book can be either great for one or a failure for another.
mipa_jt's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
sukhlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t have words to explain how masterfully-heart wrenching-sobbing-unforgettable book is this. I cried with these book as a excruciating nightmare. If you haven’t picked up this book, then what are you doing in your life???????? Easily my Favorite book of this year. And one of my all time favorites.