Scan barcode
A review by hcarroll130
The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen
3.0
Overall, I really enjoyed the book! The way the relationship between Adam and Corey developed seemed natural, respectful, and realistic to their ages and setting. There was a lot of honest, healthy communication between Adam and Corey, plus lots of examples of emotional maturity within the other platonic/familial relationships in the book.
But I felt like, in some ways, Corey’s permanent physical disability relied on a lot of tropes, some of which were really disappointing. And the author perpetuated some disrespectful attitudes regarding disability by not presenting any kind of objection or challenge to several of the problematic views/opinions that Corey has regarding disability (e.g. calling the accessible van the “gimpmobile” and suggesting only “losers” use it). There are other small instances of problematic vocabulary or ideas, like “ghetto,” that are casually used throughout the book, too.
In general, I felt like it was a good story and I found myself laughing out loud in several places, but that enjoyment was diminished a little by the insensitivity regarding disability.
But I felt like, in some ways, Corey’s permanent physical disability relied on a lot of tropes, some of which were really disappointing. And the author perpetuated some disrespectful attitudes regarding disability by not presenting any kind of objection or challenge to several of the problematic views/opinions that Corey has regarding disability (e.g. calling the accessible van the “gimpmobile” and suggesting only “losers” use it). There are other small instances of problematic vocabulary or ideas, like “ghetto,” that are casually used throughout the book, too.
In general, I felt like it was a good story and I found myself laughing out loud in several places, but that enjoyment was diminished a little by the insensitivity regarding disability.