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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel touched me in such a profound way.
As a gay man, I was deeply moved by Christodora — beautiful, devastating and above all else, important.
I was born at the height of the AIDS crisis (1988), but have lived my adult life practically unaffected by AIDS. It was important for me to read intimate and personal struggles — not just from a gay perspective — to feel more connected to the past.
I couldn’t recommend this novel enough.
As a gay man, I was deeply moved by Christodora — beautiful, devastating and above all else, important.
I was born at the height of the AIDS crisis (1988), but have lived my adult life practically unaffected by AIDS. It was important for me to read intimate and personal struggles — not just from a gay perspective — to feel more connected to the past.
I couldn’t recommend this novel enough.
I'm DNFing this book at page 276. I cannot read this anymore. I started off absolutely loving this book, Tim Murphy is clearly a talented writer and did an excellent job at creating these characters that come to life.
HOWEVER. I know this book is about AIDs and drugs and it's gritty and dark, I crave that shit. but really. Stating a character is gay, and then having them have sex with a woman because they're sad?! When their partner is in hospital dying of aids?! WHEN THE WOMAN HAS AIDS AND YOU REFUSE A CONDOM?! The choices of these characters started to get hideous and then just full of offensive. When it came to sexualities all the characters were "dykes" or "gays".. who didn't seem to mind having sex with anyone and everyone. Maybe this novel just isn't for me I've no idea?!
My favourite book in the entire world is A little life and my favourite film is requiem for a dream, so honestly I thought I would love this, and I did read over half and gave it a good try. But no, I couldn't read on with what the gay characters were doing that, as a gay lady no thank you! So disappointed. I am giving it 2 stars fully because the characters and writing were great but otherwise I did not enjoy it.
HOWEVER. I know this book is about AIDs and drugs and it's gritty and dark, I crave that shit. but really. Stating a character is gay, and then having them have sex with a woman because they're sad?! When their partner is in hospital dying of aids?! WHEN THE WOMAN HAS AIDS AND YOU REFUSE A CONDOM?! The choices of these characters started to get hideous and then just full of offensive. When it came to sexualities all the characters were "dykes" or "gays".. who didn't seem to mind having sex with anyone and everyone. Maybe this novel just isn't for me I've no idea?!
My favourite book in the entire world is A little life and my favourite film is requiem for a dream, so honestly I thought I would love this, and I did read over half and gave it a good try. But no, I couldn't read on with what the gay characters were doing that, as a gay lady no thank you! So disappointed. I am giving it 2 stars fully because the characters and writing were great but otherwise I did not enjoy it.
I don’t think there’s anything I didn’t like about this.
It took me ages to get through this book. I did not think it was bad nor did I think it was that good either, a median 3.
For a book concerning so many emotional things (i.e. addiction, death, heartbreak), never did I really feel that emotion come through. I’m easy to get teary-eyed while reading but it never happened this time around.
Personally I felt no excitement in this book. I was never eager to pick up Christodora and that says something.
For a book concerning so many emotional things (i.e. addiction, death, heartbreak), never did I really feel that emotion come through. I’m easy to get teary-eyed while reading but it never happened this time around.
Personally I felt no excitement in this book. I was never eager to pick up Christodora and that says something.
I listened to this book and what a pleasurable experience it was! The narration was notable with 5(?) different voices who brought the story to life. An eye-opening look at the AIDS crisis in the 1980s alongside a non-linear portrait of a complicated family.
An exceptional novel chronicling the history of the HIV epidemic that paralyzed the world in the 80s. The aftermath, the voices that fought to be heard, the loss of families and the continuous efforts to eradicate the stigma and find a cure. Set in New York city we zoom into an apartment building called Christodora where we come across (Milly & Jared) a privileged white couple who have decided to adopt (Mateo) an AIDS orphan and we also meet (Hector) A Gay Puerto Rican man who was a strong voice in the 80s AIDS movement but has succumbed to drug addiction in his later years. We see how their lives intertwine and the huge impact of that one virus can have on a generation.
HIV/AIDS is a very touchy subject lots of people tend to shy away from it and most African countries are still heavily affected because of the stigma. What Tim Murphy does with this narrative is quite powerful he evokes so much emotion through the characters addictions, inner turmoil, identity, sexuality, mortality etc. I had no idea the amount of work that went into pushing for a cure back in the beginning stages. The protests and the huge wave of loss that affected families because the government didn't want to be associated with the name "AIDs" How HIV positive women were set aside because people at the time believed that the virus only affected gay men. It was interesting to see how minorities group came together to push forward the issues and in the end changing history. I really admired Tim Murphy's honesty and being in the frontline as an HIV/AIDS reporter for 20 years I think he tackled this important issue with finesse, reminding us the importance of literature in destigmatization of HIV/ AIDS. I highly recommend this especially for fans of A Little Life, The Goldfinch & The Interestings :) a new favorite.
Another book I'm so glad I read before I died... Full review soon
HIV/AIDS is a very touchy subject lots of people tend to shy away from it and most African countries are still heavily affected because of the stigma. What Tim Murphy does with this narrative is quite powerful he evokes so much emotion through the characters addictions, inner turmoil, identity, sexuality, mortality etc. I had no idea the amount of work that went into pushing for a cure back in the beginning stages. The protests and the huge wave of loss that affected families because the government didn't want to be associated with the name "AIDs" How HIV positive women were set aside because people at the time believed that the virus only affected gay men. It was interesting to see how minorities group came together to push forward the issues and in the end changing history. I really admired Tim Murphy's honesty and being in the frontline as an HIV/AIDS reporter for 20 years I think he tackled this important issue with finesse, reminding us the importance of literature in destigmatization of HIV/ AIDS. I highly recommend this especially for fans of A Little Life, The Goldfinch & The Interestings :) a new favorite.
Another book I'm so glad I read before I died... Full review soon
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes