Scan barcode
lnb's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
loved this one - the pace is a little slow but there are some really compelling turns in the plot, especially for such a character-focused book. i liked the shifting perspectives on a complicated situation, each character felt fully-realized, but of course juliet is the star of the book. i loved her as a character and looked forward to her portions of the book the most. there's several intense passages about alcoholism/addiction, so those who find those topics difficult may want to skip this one
aksmalley's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This would make a fabulous book for discussion in a book club.
delipickles's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.5
leahsbooks's review
3.0
Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this book.
I didn't have any set expectations when I went into reading this book, which is a good thing, but it wound up just being an okay read for me. It tells the story of one young man, Jenry, on his quest to find out more about who he is, and the man who was his father.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the way that each part of the story was told from the perspective of a different character involved in Jenry's birth and life - his two mothers, his birth father, his paternal grandfather, his paternal grandmother, etc. I enjoyed some of the characters more than others, but the story was intriguing and that is why I kept reading. Also, the narrators did a great job with voicing the different characters.
This book brings up the lengths that people go to for the people they love, and how while actions may be rooted in good intentions, they don't always end up well. Each of the characters in the story have love in their heart, even if it doesn't necessarily show. And I have to admit, that this was one of the best portrayals of addiction recovery that I've ever seen. It touches on some heavy issues, such as homophobia, estrangement, death, and grief, but it's done in an extraordinarily sensitive way.
While this wasn't a favorite of mine, I can honestly say that it is a good book and kept me intrigued for the whole time, even if part of it was a bit slow-paced.
I didn't have any set expectations when I went into reading this book, which is a good thing, but it wound up just being an okay read for me. It tells the story of one young man, Jenry, on his quest to find out more about who he is, and the man who was his father.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the way that each part of the story was told from the perspective of a different character involved in Jenry's birth and life - his two mothers, his birth father, his paternal grandfather, his paternal grandmother, etc. I enjoyed some of the characters more than others, but the story was intriguing and that is why I kept reading. Also, the narrators did a great job with voicing the different characters.
This book brings up the lengths that people go to for the people they love, and how while actions may be rooted in good intentions, they don't always end up well. Each of the characters in the story have love in their heart, even if it doesn't necessarily show. And I have to admit, that this was one of the best portrayals of addiction recovery that I've ever seen. It touches on some heavy issues, such as homophobia, estrangement, death, and grief, but it's done in an extraordinarily sensitive way.
While this wasn't a favorite of mine, I can honestly say that it is a good book and kept me intrigued for the whole time, even if part of it was a bit slow-paced.
krissyronan's review
4.0
Engrossing story of a boy who goes looking for his biological father only to find a lot more. The layers that Harper brings to this story. Sucked in from the beginning to end. Recommended for adults.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Recorded Books, Inc for the audiobook.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Recorded Books, Inc for the audiobook.
cstefko's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Rounding down because I am of two minds with this novel... whereas I was very interested by the plot and definitely felt like I came away with an understanding of the themes Harper was trying to evoke, there was something about the execution that didn't fully work for me. My main issue is that I never truly found the male characters that believable (in terms of their voice/dialogue), perhaps with the exception of Victor, whose section I found the most interesting besides Juliet's. Also, this book is overly long in my opinion. There are many scenes that are doubled throughout the novel, where we see the same conversation from the opposite viewpoint. Still, despite those quibbles, I don't regret having read it, and I do think that Harper has a lot of interesting things to say about queer family structures as well as the bonds between more traditional families. The addiction storyline also felt pretty realistic. I liked that Harper makes you sympathize with each character without making you condone their behavior. And the twist in the middle genuinely surprised me!
I would read something else by Harper in the future, but I hope those books will be a little more tightly edited.
Rounding down because I am of two minds with this novel... whereas I was very interested by the plot and definitely felt like I came away with an understanding of the themes Harper was trying to evoke, there was something about the execution that didn't fully work for me. My main issue is that I never truly found the male characters that believable (in terms of their voice/dialogue), perhaps with the exception of Victor, whose section I found the most interesting besides Juliet's. Also, this book is overly long in my opinion. There are many scenes that are doubled throughout the novel, where we see the same conversation from the opposite viewpoint. Still, despite those quibbles, I don't regret having read it, and I do think that Harper has a lot of interesting things to say about queer family structures as well as the bonds between more traditional families. The addiction storyline also felt pretty realistic. I liked that Harper makes you sympathize with each character without making you condone their behavior. And the twist in the middle genuinely surprised me!
I would read something else by Harper in the future, but I hope those books will be a little more tightly edited.