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pika_berry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The writing is superb, but I felt disappointed.
I was expecting a “Brokeback Mountain”, and got a painful story about an unattractive woman instead.
The pain of what it feels like to be unwanted, and to pine for a man out of her league.
The desperate pursuing, self doubt, and consequent resentment. All because she chose someone who doesn’t like her.
I have half a mind to suspect she may have been autistic. I am autistic too, and the pain is too familiar.
I felt the policeman is the hidden “culprit” in this story. He had his cake and ate it too. He took advantage of a frumpy girl with a crush on him so he could have a wife and look good to the other people. And he got to enjoy a thrilling romance with a handsome gay man on the side.And he was never legally punished for the infidelity. He still had a job, had a wife doing all the chores, and still had a life. Albeit an unhappy one, but it’s still better than going to jail.
I feel like even if being gay were legal, he still would have caused suffering in the people around him because he is so clueless. And he would get away with it because he’s good looking.
I just don’t think he is a good person at all. Not malicious evil, bur not actively good either. Good looking and empty. I feel the book portrayed this well by leaving out his side of the story.
Even if they had ended up as a couple, I feel like the relationship wouldn’t have worked out. I predict the policemen would start to feel resentful about having to be the “dumb one” in the relationship, and Patrick would start to look preachy and annoying. The policeman will start to notice the flab and wrinkles under Patrick’s fancy clothes. Then goes the sexual attraction.
The policeman might start to make some art of his own, or write his own book. And Patrick will either be threatened by his talent, or be weirdly patronizing over his lack thereof. Either way I can only see strain and misery between these two.
I was expecting a “Brokeback Mountain”, and got a painful story about an unattractive woman instead.
The pain of what it feels like to be unwanted, and to pine for a man out of her league.
The desperate pursuing, self doubt, and consequent resentment. All because she chose someone who doesn’t like her.
I have half a mind to suspect she may have been autistic. I am autistic too, and the pain is too familiar.
I felt the policeman is the hidden “culprit” in this story. He had his cake and ate it too. He took advantage of a frumpy girl with a crush on him so he could have a wife and look good to the other people. And he got to enjoy a thrilling romance with a handsome gay man on the side.
I feel like even if being gay were legal, he still would have caused suffering in the people around him because he is so clueless. And he would get away with it because he’s good looking.
I just don’t think he is a good person at all. Not malicious evil, bur not actively good either. Good looking and empty. I feel the book portrayed this well by leaving out his side of the story.
Even if they had ended up as a couple, I feel like the relationship wouldn’t have worked out. I predict the policemen would start to feel resentful about having to be the “dumb one” in the relationship, and Patrick would start to look preachy and annoying. The policeman will start to notice the flab and wrinkles under Patrick’s fancy clothes. Then goes the sexual attraction.
The policeman might start to make some art of his own, or write his own book. And Patrick will either be threatened by his talent, or be weirdly patronizing over his lack thereof. Either way I can only see strain and misery between these two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism
karlabasson's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage
islamaunder21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
andriaspyrou's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Homophobia
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this as part of my 12 books recommended by 12 friends challenge!
Started off slow and a bit overly descriptive for my taste but it picked up around page 60
I preferred Patrick’s POV chapters more because of the writing style! Marion’s chapters, especially in the beginning, were a bit overly descriptive. It slowed down the pacing making it harder for me to want to read the book.
We get chapters in both Marion’s POV and Patrick’s but we never hear from Tom. I thought this was an interesting way to tell the story but I kind of would have liked to hear how Tom felt and thought through all of this.
Overall a fantastically tragic story with complex characters!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Violence, and Outing
Moderate: Suicide, Gaslighting, Confinement, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia and Infertility
laurataylor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Miscarriage, Outing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
kriti's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide
aublyn105's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
** spoiler alert ** 4.25 stars <3
i honestly loved this so much. i watched the film before reading the novel, and i really liked seeing each character in my head so vividly. absolutely loved tom and patrick's relationship, but not marion at all. i stand for all marion slander!!! L character fr.
the fact we got to see patrick's journal entries was so exciting. i only wish we got to see tom's point of view, as done with patrick and marion. that would've made the book so much better, tbh.
hated that marion never apologized to patrick nor attempted to get him out of prison, given he obviously did not deserve to be there. and tom not attempting to help either whatsoever. patrick needed him and tom abandoned him completely. L tom.
overall, loved this so much and the entire storyline. i am constantly thinking about it after seeing the movie months earlier. i'm so glad we have a book version too<3
i honestly loved this so much. i watched the film before reading the novel, and i really liked seeing each character in my head so vividly. absolutely loved tom and patrick's relationship, but not marion at all. i stand for all marion slander!!! L character fr.
the fact we got to see patrick's journal entries was so exciting. i only wish we got to see tom's point of view, as done with patrick and marion. that would've made the book so much better, tbh.
hated that marion never apologized to patrick nor attempted to get him out of prison, given he obviously did not deserve to be there. and tom not attempting to help either whatsoever. patrick needed him and tom abandoned him completely. L tom.
overall, loved this so much and the entire storyline. i am constantly thinking about it after seeing the movie months earlier. i'm so glad we have a book version too<3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Hate crime, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Police brutality, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing and Mental illness
lucinotlucy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Infidelity, and Terminal illness
bexh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Homophobia, and Police brutality