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nebraskanwriter's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
This is one of the most beautiful, important books I think I will ever read. As someone who is not Black and has been privileged to not go through the things that the author and so many other people of color go through, this book felt so important to me as it showed me so much of my own privilege/prejudice and made me understand things more then I ever have before.
The way Caleb writes is incredible, the way he is able to put words to trauma and raw emotion is unmatched. This is a story about two people who love each other but Caleb also talks a lot about police brutality, how that has affected the main character and how it affects the Black community on a daily basis.
This is such an important book for everyone to read as it deals with internalizing trauma, racial profiling, police brutality, learning to love yourself even when the society you live in doesn’t love you/care about you. So, so important for everyone to read this so that the Black community can be seen, they can be heard and we can put an end to violence against their community and people of color in general.
The way Caleb writes is incredible, the way he is able to put words to trauma and raw emotion is unmatched. This is a story about two people who love each other but Caleb also talks a lot about police brutality, how that has affected the main character and how it affects the Black community on a daily basis.
This is such an important book for everyone to read as it deals with internalizing trauma, racial profiling, police brutality, learning to love yourself even when the society you live in doesn’t love you/care about you. So, so important for everyone to read this so that the Black community can be seen, they can be heard and we can put an end to violence against their community and people of color in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
bookbinbaby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Found the characters a bit infuriating at times, more their resistance to how they felt about each other, but had a lot of sympathy for them both at different stages of the book. The feeling-the ache he describes and the feelings and themes of loss, grief and submission/injustice/prejudice were painful to read. It was written from an odd viewpoint for me, which put me off a lot and the dreamy prose was too much at times (again for me! Others might find it appeals) but I liked the scattering like beautiful breadcrumbs the names of art and music which could provoke and interest further exploration. All in all I am glad I read this. I feel it is a story I won't ever forget.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Murder, and Toxic friendship