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lacarina's review
5.0
Wow.
This isn't going to be the kind of review where I tell you everything that happened like I was writing a book report (except to say that the notes are as precious as the rest. So read them, even if you don't need the definitions.)
This is the kind of book that makes you want to write to the author directly and tell him all the thoughts and feelings that happened as you were reading. Which I may actually do. Because I loved this book so hard. It is impossible not to completely adore Matthue, both as the author and as the character. He made me want to give him a big dykey snuggle, while at the same time giving me some serious Jewish inspiration (...Yidspiration?)
He treats the other characters with such tenderness and grace. Even the guy who picked him up after getting gassed at the protest got a name. He got to be a real person just as all the other characters were complete people within the context of the story, even if they existed for only a few sentences. And his prose are delightful to read, well written and gritty. Punk, not sloppy.
Matthue Roth carves out place for queer, straight, observant Jews, and it fills me with wonder and gratitude.
There is absolutely nothing about this book that isn't 100% lovable. And I eagerly await future novel length books from him.
This isn't going to be the kind of review where I tell you everything that happened like I was writing a book report (except to say that the notes are as precious as the rest. So read them, even if you don't need the definitions.)
This is the kind of book that makes you want to write to the author directly and tell him all the thoughts and feelings that happened as you were reading. Which I may actually do. Because I loved this book so hard. It is impossible not to completely adore Matthue, both as the author and as the character. He made me want to give him a big dykey snuggle, while at the same time giving me some serious Jewish inspiration (...Yidspiration?)
He treats the other characters with such tenderness and grace. Even the guy who picked him up after getting gassed at the protest got a name. He got to be a real person just as all the other characters were complete people within the context of the story, even if they existed for only a few sentences. And his prose are delightful to read, well written and gritty. Punk, not sloppy.
Matthue Roth carves out place for queer, straight, observant Jews, and it fills me with wonder and gratitude.
There is absolutely nothing about this book that isn't 100% lovable. And I eagerly await future novel length books from him.
wealhtheow's review
2.0
A memoir about pursuing poetry, punk rock and Orthodox Judaism. I really liked this book, and Matthue, to begin with, but as time went on I get a bit bothered by his dealings with girls. Specifically, his desire to have relationships without touching—even hand holding is supposed to be out. He’s a cool guy—articulate, passionate and clearly a deep thinker—and I liked his friends and their oddities. In the end, though, I was still uncomfortable with his faith, and sad that he put so much effort into praying every day and so little in convincing the more conservative members of his synagogue that being queer was ok.
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