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A review by charles_rowland
This Is Not a Vampire Story by Simon Doyle
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review! Thank you to NetGalley
This was stunning. Genuinely one of the most gorgeous books I’ve ever read. The reality of knowing what was going to happen to the men while Victor had to watch was so, so incredibly sad and so… cathartic? I loved it. Seeing James and Victor’s story in real time through 1949 and then going back to the present while they are all rapidly deteriorating. It felt so real. I don’t know how to express my feelings about this, but I have many. All of them positive, in the end, even if the emotion itself isn’t necessarily happy.
James and Victor’s relationship was so stunning to read. I was very happy when there wasnever a moment of violent homophobia towards them. Yes, Michael, but they were never victims to a public, violent incident, something I feel a lot of books have when in a similar time period. Their love and adoration was so strong and devoted, it was incredibly refreshing and honest and real. They were truly each other’s love and soulmate, and it was so lovely to read. I really can’t get over how much they loved each other all throughout time, and right up to the ending. It never faltered. Even when Victor was gone, James was his one true thought, and same with James about Victor.
I loved the friendships as well. Danny and Giuseppe and even Michael were such fun and real characters, their banter feeling so in tune and real. It felt like you were reading true conversations between old friends in their childhood, and even the same when they’re older.
My thoughts while reading chapter 35: The entire story has built up to this moment and yet I, like James, am not ready, nor am I prepared. Mr. Nguyen’s story is only making it worse. James’ line of “‘What if there is no God? Or worse—what if there is?’”(263) is so good, too. And so real. The fear with both possibilities is so real.
This was stunning. Genuinely one of the most gorgeous books I’ve ever read. The reality of knowing what was going to happen to the men while Victor had to watch was so, so incredibly sad and so… cathartic? I loved it. Seeing James and Victor’s story in real time through 1949 and then going back to the present while they are all rapidly deteriorating. It felt so real. I don’t know how to express my feelings about this, but I have many. All of them positive, in the end, even if the emotion itself isn’t necessarily happy.
James and Victor’s relationship was so stunning to read. I was very happy when there was
I loved the friendships as well. Danny and Giuseppe and even Michael were such fun and real characters, their banter feeling so in tune and real. It felt like you were reading true conversations between old friends in their childhood, and even the same when they’re older.
“‘If to love is to be human, I knew that’s what I was. Nothing else ever mattered.’” Stunning.
He got the ending he wanted so desperately. And I adore that for him, both Victor and James. After all that time, James could finally see Victor again, be with him. Die with him.
This was beautiful and such a new and unique take on grief and the length of grief, prolonged and scary.
This was beautiful and such a new and unique take on grief and the length of grief, prolonged and scary.