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tegzy95's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Grief, Sexism, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicide
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
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
morghan_1947's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This novel centers on the relationship between Marion Taylor, Tom Burgess, & Patrick Hazelwood. In 1950's Britain, strict laws against homosexuality, especially targeting men. Marion was deeply attracted to Tom, who was her best friend's brother. The storyline occurs in flashbacks from the 1950's to the 1990's. Patrick works in a local museum, and Tom as a policeman, after military.service. Tom enters the museum, and meets Patrick, & the latter has an immediate attraction to Tom. Without spoilers, this well crafted novel, explores the ensuing relationships. The film based upon this book was released in 2022, starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrine, & David Dawson; it's available on Amazon Prime for streaming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Homophobia, and Grief
LBGT themedaublyn105'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
sunny_bumblebee's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
junebug_186's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide
Minor: Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
averagemark's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Outing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, and Pregnancy
hannahrogers's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Outing, Biphobia, Infidelity, Hate crime, Homophobia, Police brutality, and Sexism
Moderate: Pregnancy and Alcohol
Minor: Infertility and Alcoholism
binreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
3.25
Let me preface this by saying, I did pick this book up so I could read before the movie came out because of my boy Harry.
This book is complicated for me, with characters who are extremely complicated. It's a very sad and tragic story. It's hard for me to completely like or dislike any of them. They all have their strengths and huge flaws. I finished the book and thought "...that's it? that's how it ends?"
I hurt for both Marion and Patrick. I actually really disliked Tom. For using Marion, who is seemingly was so blinded by love she would do anything for Tom, even when he didn't deserve it. And for not allowing himself to be true to himself, and be fully with Patrick.
I almost wonder if that's the exact reason he chose to marry her. He knew she was in love with him. Maybe he always knew, sensing her infatuation in their younger years. It wasn't fair to anyone involved. He loved Marion platonically but he should've at least tried to show he cared for her. He must've to some extent if he married her? Cut to the part where he finds out Patrick has been arrested and he has the nerve to break down to her. He never had the courage to tell her his true feelings, and yet I guess he suspected she knew? I hate how he gaslit her anytime she stuck up for herself. It was so infuriating. He was way too concerned with the proper way of doing things, his job and reputation and not the people in his life.
I think they were all pretty selfish in different ways. Patrick, for being the 3rd wheel in their marriage, full well knowing here's a woman who genuinely loves her husband and here you are having a secret relationship. Marion, for not leaving Tom and allowing herself to move on - instead writing the dreaded letter that ruins everything and hurts everyone. That was unforgivable. I'll never understand why she couldn't work it out with Tom or just leave him. And Tom, for unfortunately using both people for his own needs.
Heck! Tom should've married Julia then it could've been a Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo kinda situation. An understanding between them all to love whom they wanted in private. I sensed she was also queer and even rooted for Marion to have feelings for her.
I am really excited for the movie because I think it will portray Tom and Patrick's relationship better on screen. That's the one thing that confused me is I didn't expect this to be so much of Marion. I wish we got to see more from Patrick.
This book is complicated for me, with characters who are extremely complicated. It's a very sad and tragic story. It's hard for me to completely like or dislike any of them. They all have their strengths and huge flaws. I finished the book and thought "...that's it? that's how it ends?"
I almost wonder if that's the exact reason he chose to marry her. He knew she was in love with him. Maybe he always knew, sensing her infatuation in their younger years. It wasn't fair to anyone involved. He loved Marion platonically but he should've at least tried to show he cared for her. He must've to some extent if he married her? Cut to the part where he finds out Patrick has been arrested and he has the nerve to break down to her. He never had the courage to tell her his true feelings, and yet I guess he suspected she knew? I hate how he gaslit her anytime she stuck up for herself. It was so infuriating. He was way too concerned with the proper way of doing things, his job and reputation and not the people in his life.
I think they were all pretty selfish in different ways. Patrick, for being the 3rd wheel in their marriage, full well knowing here's a woman who genuinely loves her husband and here you are having a secret relationship. Marion, for not leaving Tom and allowing herself to move on - instead writing the dreaded letter that ruins everything and hurts everyone. That was unforgivable. I'll never understand why she couldn't work it out with Tom or just leave him. And Tom, for unfortunately using both people for his own needs.
Heck! Tom should've married Julia then it could've been a Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo kinda situation. An understanding between them all to love whom they wanted in private. I sensed she was also queer and even rooted for Marion to have feelings for her.
I am really excited for the movie because I think it will portray Tom and Patrick's relationship better on screen. That's the one thing that confused me is I didn't expect this to be so much of Marion. I wish we got to see more from Patrick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Outing, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Suicide