A review by woodsbookclub
Constellations by Kate Glasheen
3.0
Set in the 1980s Troy, New York, this is a portrait of a queer teen living on the margins, struggling with addiction and gender questioning. It has a queer non-binary protagonist, a queer white secondary character, and secondary BIPOC characters.
The book starts off with Claire talking about their town, and I really liked it because the town kinda reflects the small-minded people that live there.
Claire has a best friend, Greg, and I expected there to be a more detailed account of their bond, but that is not the case since most of the story happens in rehab. Claire has to go there because they are so sick of people trying to put them in one box, they start coping with their emotions through drinking and partying. But there they found a space to make genuine friendships in a less judgemental environment, where they can also figure out their identity and learn to stand up for themselves.
Done in watercolour and ink, the artwork is beautiful, but also not my favourite. I didn't love the lighter shades around the eyes of the characters, and most of the characters look the same: I had a hard time distinguishing Claire, the literal main character, from the other male characters.
I found the story touching, but I had general issues with the overall book experience. The pacing could be improved. If it was lengthened, the time in rehab could be expanded upon, as well as the time after. But, overall, I think it sensitively addresses addiction and talks about the importance of friends and family during the process.
Thank you so much to Holiday House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-ARC and the opportunity to read it before it's publish date on the 23rd of May, 2023.
The book starts off with Claire talking about their town, and I really liked it because the town kinda reflects the small-minded people that live there.
Claire has a best friend, Greg, and I expected there to be a more detailed account of their bond, but that is not the case since most of the story happens in rehab. Claire has to go there because they are so sick of people trying to put them in one box, they start coping with their emotions through drinking and partying. But there they found a space to make genuine friendships in a less judgemental environment, where they can also figure out their identity and learn to stand up for themselves.
Done in watercolour and ink, the artwork is beautiful, but also not my favourite. I didn't love the lighter shades around the eyes of the characters, and most of the characters look the same: I had a hard time distinguishing Claire, the literal main character, from the other male characters.
I found the story touching, but I had general issues with the overall book experience. The pacing could be improved. If it was lengthened, the time in rehab could be expanded upon, as well as the time after. But, overall, I think it sensitively addresses addiction and talks about the importance of friends and family during the process.
Thank you so much to Holiday House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-ARC and the opportunity to read it before it's publish date on the 23rd of May, 2023.