Scan barcode
sophierice1997's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
5.0
This is hands down one of the best books I have ever read. Should be required reading for messy former theatre kids.
janeeyre's review
3.0
Very specific and interesting characters and setting. The plot and pacing, however, could have used some work. A lot of the dramatic beats felt forced and unearned. While the tone of the writing was incredibly accurate in recreating a highschooler's voice, I did get pretty irritated with it about halfway in. You can really, really tell the author is a mega-wealthy grown-up-theatre-kid grandson of Leonard Bernstein (not kidding, he actually is, and considering that, it's pretty funny that On The Town plays a role in the plot). I found the questions of gender and sexuality and adolescence raised here to be quite interesting, but I finished the book feeling unsatisfied, perhaps because Fay's story felt so unresolved.
mothmantruther123's review
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
sinhab's review
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
kaia8523's review
funny
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? N/A
4.25
Beautifully written, realistic setting although it had a unsatisfying ending. Multi-layered characters coming of age.
amyzaza's review against another edition
4.0
really loved this but can't explain why. found so much of it to be so relatable and so resonant w me. this captured the experience of growing up as a weird, queer person so, so well, in such a way i haven't seen any other book come close to.
westcdf's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
panaisbitt's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed - interesting story and format - could’ve been 30% shorter
bayleaff's review against another edition
4.5
Wow. There was a lot going on in this book. The author's ability to depict the obsessive, reverent, self-destructive, life-defining nature of high school relationships (including the parasocial ones) is truly mind-boggling. I was expecting the plot to veer a little darker/murder-y, but the way things unfolded felt more realistic (in like the most gut-wrenching way). Some of the relationship dynamics gave queer Sally Rooney vibes, but this felt really original. I'd recommend it to readers who used to spend too much time on the internet, read a little too much fanfiction, and still search for the queer subtext in every piece of media they consume.