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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Good narration. Overall, this was enjoyable enough. I actually wasn't a huge fan of the Wendy/Wanda bits. Not them arguing or interacting, just the questions part. Idk, it cut the flow for me. The characters and their parts of the story were good though. A bit cringe at times but who isn't? It was nice seeing that ace-specific fear of being alone forever, I haven't personally seen that before. I would have liked to see rep of a sex-positive (or even horny lol) ace person though, these types of people were acknowledged at least so it's more than I've seen before. Overall, I wouldn't actually recommend "Dear Wendy," but I enjoyed it and maybe I would if someone specifically is seeking out ace rep.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Parts of this book made me feel old as a grizzled veteran of the mid-2010s tumblr ace discourse trenches, but overall it was a delight. And I felt so seen because I also cried at both Jo March’s speech in the Greta Gerwig Little Women and the end of The Half of It for the same reasons as Jo!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
As far as representation goes, this book is like a dream. I had so many big feelings reading it and hearing my own experiences laid out so perfectly. The things that make me who I am as an aromantic woman were NEVER reflected in media until very recently (specifically thinking of Heartstopper and Loveless. If there are others, please comment and let me know). Even Jughead's canonical aro identity in the Archie comics (unlabeled but at least described) was tossed out for Riverdale. The most heartbreaking, though, is that when I see anything posted online in recognition of aroace identities, it's almost always for asexuals, not aromantics.
That said, the lack of a plot was glaring. My sister knows about how hard I found it to keep listening to the audiobook, because it kept starting where I left off every time she got in my car for weeks. It didn't even end when I thought it would! It was truly difficult to finish, and if it weren't for the feeling of validation I got from the multiple character essays on Being Aromantic, I might have DNFed really early on.
Reasons this book was hard to get through:
1) There wasn't a plot. The book is obviously supposed to be driven by the character development, but that seemed like an afterthought, and only for Jo. Sophie doesn't grow at all.
2) All the action was explained to the reader as past events, not shown.
3) Admittedly, I felt nostalgia and jealousy for the college experience these characters have, but too much of the text was devoted to expressing love for the college and not enough towards actually describing the campus. I never felt like I was there.
4) The Insta war was juvenile and downright mean.
5) I didn't feel like the friendship evolved authentically enough to warrant how the characters apparently feel about each other at the end. The whole story is supposed to be about this friendship, but it never really gets the attention it needs.
6) I hate to be that guy, but this is the book I think Conservatives are terrified of. DeSantis would burst a blood vessel reading it. Dear Wendy takes place in a Liberal utopia. Every student on this campus apparently has the vocabulary and background knowledge to speak with authority on a variety of topics, including race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, intergenerational trauma, and bigotry. I'm not saying I disagree with any of it (I don't), but it was intense, like the narrative version of scrolling through Tumblr discourse posts. I was also made uncomfortable by how much the characters shit on cis men. Jo's little brother literally agrees with such a sentiment by saying "we're the worst" and later has a breakdown over being both straight and male in a house full of queer women.
We need more books with aromantic leads. I adore this author for writing one, truly. I feel guilty giving such a critical review when the representation means SO MUCH to me, but I'm hoping next time we get one with less of the characters telling us what happens and more of the action appearing on the page.
That said, the lack of a plot was glaring. My sister knows about how hard I found it to keep listening to the audiobook, because it kept starting where I left off every time she got in my car for weeks. It didn't even end when I thought it would! It was truly difficult to finish, and if it weren't for the feeling of validation I got from the multiple character essays on Being Aromantic, I might have DNFed really early on.
Reasons this book was hard to get through:
1) There wasn't a plot. The book is obviously supposed to be driven by the character development, but that seemed like an afterthought, and only for Jo. Sophie doesn't grow at all.
2) All the action was explained to the reader as past events, not shown.
3) Admittedly, I felt nostalgia and jealousy for the college experience these characters have, but too much of the text was devoted to expressing love for the college and not enough towards actually describing the campus. I never felt like I was there.
4) The Insta war was juvenile and downright mean.
5) I didn't feel like the friendship evolved authentically enough to warrant how the characters apparently feel about each other at the end. The whole story is supposed to be about this friendship, but it never really gets the attention it needs.
6) I hate to be that guy, but this is the book I think Conservatives are terrified of. DeSantis would burst a blood vessel reading it. Dear Wendy takes place in a Liberal utopia. Every student on this campus apparently has the vocabulary and background knowledge to speak with authority on a variety of topics, including race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, intergenerational trauma, and bigotry. I'm not saying I disagree with any of it (I don't), but it was intense, like the narrative version of scrolling through Tumblr discourse posts. I was also made uncomfortable by how much the characters shit on cis men. Jo's little brother literally agrees with such a sentiment by saying "we're the worst" and later has a breakdown over being both straight and male in a house full of queer women.
We need more books with aromantic leads. I adore this author for writing one, truly. I feel guilty giving such a critical review when the representation means SO MUCH to me, but I'm hoping next time we get one with less of the characters telling us what happens and more of the action appearing on the page.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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:
Complicated