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We, the reader, follow the protagonist Cyril Avery through his entire life in several parts separated by seven-year time skips. I loved that structure and think it was very well executed. The way everything that happens in Cyril's life seems interconnected, and some people remain constant during all stages, while unrealistic, made for a very engaging read. I honestly would not have thought I'd rate this book a solid five stars after the first half because some characters' atrocious actions seemed to be explained away with too little discussion for my liking. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the latter chapters addressed every issue and tied up Cyril's life story so well that I wouldn't change anything about it.
This also made for very realistic character development for Cyril and the other characters. Cyril's internal monologue changes and grows with him. Still, he maintains a very distinctive style. He describes his life's story with so much wit and humor that I laughed out loud several times. Literally.
Some plot points and most of the dialogue seem entirely unrealistic. However, I found that I had a better experience with the novel overall after I accepted that Cyril might not be the most reliable narrator and the events were simply told through his eyes. For example, both Cyril and Julian's obsession with sex from an extremely young age seemed extremely disturbing and not at all funny to me, but given the trajectory of Cyril's life and the role his own sexuality colored almost every aspect of the first few decades of his life, it kind of makes sense that he would fixate on and exaggerate these parts of his early life.
My favorite part, as much as I loved Cyril's journey, remained the first one. I thought having Cyril narrate his mother's story despite not being born at the time was a very interesting narrative choice. I would totally read an entire novel told in that way.
In conclusion, this one goes firmly on my list of recommendations! It touched some very deep emotions in me and managed to make me laugh on the way.
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Death of parent
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Religious bigotry
Minor: Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence
If you are able make it past the content warnings, I believe this book will move your heart and soul.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Outing, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Murder