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knkoch's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book! I've been looking forward to it for a long time. It's generally set in the 90s in the Midwest, a time period I relished returning to for a while. I was surprised to find out that one of the characters was heavily involved in speech and debate in high school, which I have some experience with as well.
The Midwest setting, high school forensics, and Freudian psychoanalysis felt familiar, but this was also a primarily male perspective on grappling with masculinity and its consequences. The author does a wonderful job embodying each character within their separate chapters. The characters were very well realized, psychologically; they each have their own distinct struggles that develop and change over time, but they're also woven together within their relationships to each other.
I found it a quick and engaging read.
The Midwest setting, high school forensics, and Freudian psychoanalysis felt familiar, but this was also a primarily male perspective on grappling with masculinity and its consequences. The author does a wonderful job embodying each character within their separate chapters. The characters were very well realized, psychologically; they each have their own distinct struggles that develop and change over time, but they're also woven together within their relationships to each other.
I found it a quick and engaging read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Dementia
Minor: Incest
The Westboro Baptist Church is (apparently) based in Topeka, where this book is set, so Fred Phelps and his fellow protesters are explained and show up in several scenes. I would not say they are the main focus, however.
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