Reviews

All the Things We Don't Talk About by Amy Feltman

amsweeney's review

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

amr316's review

1.0

DNF at 40 pages. The writing style felt clunky and awkward. I couldn’t get into the plot at all - it felt simultaneously predictable and opaque. I wasn’t pulled in by the characters either.

Just overall not for me.

rebelqueen's review

3.0

There is a lot going on this family drama featuring a non-binary teenage coming of age story. Morgan was my favorite. They are non-binary and exploring romance for the first time. Their dad, Julian, has ASD and their mom, Zoe, is an alcoholic, which led her to abandon Morgan. There are four POVs in this, which felt like a lot for the length of this book. Julian’s chapters were interesting as he processes events differently and is very self-aware and really wants to be a good father, but feels like he can’t because of his ASD. Very moving. Zoe was pretty toxic and I am not sure she is fully redeemed in the end.

chawker0526's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

emilydugranrut's review against another edition

3.0

Reviewed for Booklist.

misha_ali's review against another edition

4.0

This is one of the better representations of someone on the autistic spectrum that I've read. The characters are interesting, complex, and utterly flawed and ultimately miserable with their lives. If that's not your thing, then best avoid this one. If you enjoy interesting characters, this is quite enjoyable.

bennie2016's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

demandaxo's review

4.0

I’m giving this book 4 stars for the messiness of the characters, and the ability to write about so many different ways of experiencing the world without being predictable or trite. More non-binary and neurodivergent and queer representation is always welcomed and I appreciate that Zoë, while very unlikable, was given charisma and also empathy when struggling with alcohol use. Addiction is hard but it is incredibly human and I’m glad that was shown here.

That said, I would have loved the book to be a little longer and dive a little deeper into some of the character’s issues. It felt rushed at times. Even with that unchanged I think I would give this book 5 stars if it wasn’t written inside of a white bubble in a city developed enough that it has public transit but not a single important person of color? That felt unbelievable to me whereas the rest of the book felt believable even when it was absolutely outlandish. I would read it again in spite of that.

daisyhaas's review

emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

michellekmartin's review against another edition

3.0

All the Things We Don't Talk About tackles some big issues. Morgan is a nonbinary teen with a neurodivergent father and an alcoholic mother who disappeared when they were a baby. Their mother returns and opens up a flood gate of emotions and unresolved conversations.

Dealing with gender identity, addiction, mental health, and family dynamics, this book has so much to discuss. It's definitely a great one to pick for book club. I enjoyed this one but found I lost interest as the storyline between his mother, father, and his mother's girlfriend started to feel unrealistic to me.