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adearfellow's review against another edition
5.0
now where is that lady with the damn list? no but seriously i’ve been waiting in anticipation for the moment to get my hands on this book and now that i’ve consumed it all, i can say i am not in the slightest disappointed
limeykiss's review against another edition
5.0
Chilling, thought-provoking, and exceptionally written.
peaknit's review
3.0
I struggled between two or three stars. I really didn’t enjoy this book. It’s well written but the characters are all wounded but also unlikable and take no accountability for this lives and actions, particularly the main character Sammie.
fallonheartss's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
juliagusek's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
blemishedhearth's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
rashellnicole's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
Full disclosure: I loved this book and the preliminary thoughts from my virtual book club are that I am one of the only ones who loved it (for whatever that’s worth). This book was an extremely raw study of a queer mother in a struggling relationship who is on the brink. Her wife, Monika, assumes the heteronormative role of breadwinner while Sammie has been a stay-at-home mother since Samson’s birth. While early childhood was blissful and fulfilling for Sammie, an incident when Samson was young and almost taken by a stranger at the playground traumatizes her. The story is told primarily through Sammie’s eyes and we watch Samson age from willful child to broody teenager from her perspective.
The crux of this story is that Sammie feels unmoored from her role as a wife and mother, and unloved by her wife and child. More than once, Sammie admits she just wants to understand Samson and why he behaves the way he does (he is extremely autistic-coded and I really with the book had done more about expanding on this possible diagnosis when it came to Samson and his therapist interactions), and she wishes her wife would take time to see Sammie’s point of view when it comes to raising their child as a unit.
The most frustrating part of this book is that Sammie’s behavior is cyclical and self-destructive, and NONE of these characters are likable. Sammie starts to drink more often (and during the day), later on she engages in sometimes dangerous sexual behavior with other women, Monika completely separates herself from her family other than Samson, and Samson’s behavior often turns violent and malicious. There are no redeeming qualities for members of this family other than the understanding that this is an extremely realistic and uncomfortable expression of a messy queer family. What I loved about this portrayal, though, is that queerness, itself, isn’t the issue - it’s life and the challenges of parenthood and trying to be an individual person that makes it messy. This book was a trainwreck that I couldn’t look away from, and one I won’t be able to stop thinking about for a while (whether that’s a good or bad thing).
The crux of this story is that Sammie feels unmoored from her role as a wife and mother, and unloved by her wife and child. More than once, Sammie admits she just wants to understand Samson and why he behaves the way he does (he is extremely autistic-coded and I really with the book had done more about expanding on this possible diagnosis when it came to Samson and his therapist interactions), and she wishes her wife would take time to see Sammie’s point of view when it comes to raising their child as a unit.
The most frustrating part of this book is that Sammie’s behavior is cyclical and self-destructive, and NONE of these characters are likable. Sammie starts to drink more often (and during the day), later on she engages in sometimes dangerous sexual behavior with other women, Monika completely separates herself from her family other than Samson, and Samson’s behavior often turns violent and malicious. There are no redeeming qualities for members of this family other than the understanding that this is an extremely realistic and uncomfortable expression of a messy queer family. What I loved about this portrayal, though, is that queerness, itself, isn’t the issue - it’s life and the challenges of parenthood and trying to be an individual person that makes it messy. This book was a trainwreck that I couldn’t look away from, and one I won’t be able to stop thinking about for a while (whether that’s a good or bad thing).
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Sammie is trying her best, but she feels a bit insecure in her life. Her son Samson is moody and distant. Her wife Monika is beautiful and charismatic and seems less than involved in her family's life. Sammie grapples with how to be a good mother and wife and remembers her younger days when she was the pretty one. As Samson gets older, he gets more aggressive and Sammie has to reconcile what role her parenting may have played in him lashing out.
This was a brilliant read. Sammie is definitely a flawed character and this is a view into her life from her perspective. We get to experience her desires and insecurities. As a parent, I can relate to her concern and doubt about parenting. Who hasn't been afraid they aren't being a good enough parent?? The book explored the dynamics in a queer family and how they may differ from those of a cookie-cutter family....and then things get a little twisted... :D
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
This was a brilliant read. Sammie is definitely a flawed character and this is a view into her life from her perspective. We get to experience her desires and insecurities. As a parent, I can relate to her concern and doubt about parenting. Who hasn't been afraid they aren't being a good enough parent?? The book explored the dynamics in a queer family and how they may differ from those of a cookie-cutter family....and then things get a little twisted... :D
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
purplepierogi's review against another edition
4.0
usually I’m not one for character studies of fucked people but unraveling the gay toxic relationship / parenting dynamic w deeply unhappy narrator was perversely satisfying
manireadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5