A review by stellahadz
How to Behave in a Crowd by Camille Bordas

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Despite how sad some parts of this book were, it was an absolute delight to read. It was charming yet so melancholy to see the world through Isidore's eyes as he transitions from childhood into adolescence. The story might seem disjointed or too focused on Isidore at times, but it makes sense when you remember that you're hearing the story from a child's perspective - they are self-centered but also much more perceptive and profound than we sometimes give them credit for. I loved reading Isidore's observations about his siblings; all of the characters felt so read, even though his eyes. The scene where he
learns that the girl in the charity video is an actress and not a real child in need
made me chuckle, because it feels like such a typical thing for a child to experience - like learning Santa isn't real - but it's not one that's often captured in literature, especially not as well as in this book. How to Behave in a Crowd feels like a darker, more grown-up, but still whimsical, version of the Le Petit Nicolas books, which I loved as a kid. 

Highly recommend, but definitely check the trigger warnings before reading, and be advised that some of the sexual content involves
a consensual, not-super-graphic sex scene between two minors,
which might make some people uncomfortable (myself included). 
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