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katy_bee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's not heavy on plot and not everything is totally resolved but the gentle move towards community and fulfillment is compelling
Moderate: Death of parent, Infertility, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
jen_nej's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying and Alcoholism
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Sexism
drrock's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Alcoholism and Miscarriage
rei_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, and Infertility
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Miscarriage
tarajoy90's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism and Emotional abuse
serendipitysbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Prize nominated books have a reputation for being heavy. This one is not. It manages to be uplifting without being too saccharine or sentimental, and is a fairly easy read - despite the lack of quotation marks. The actual physical boat that is built is also a metaphorical boat, the construction of which - and especially the community which coalesces around the construction - helps keep Jamie afloat in the new school environment, where he could very well have sunk. The difference a caring and understanding teacher - or two - can make in the life of a student is clearly highlighted, as is the toxicity I associate with certain types of all-male religious schools. The bullying, by students as well as the school head, both sickened and infuriated me. I think the success of this book very much depends on how comfortable the reader is with Jamie’s thoughts which come across in a very stream of consciousness way, and how easily they connect with him as a character. I quickly identified with him and he stole a place in my heart meaning that I mostly enjoyed my time with this book, despite some niggles along the way. In the battle between head and heart, my heart won.
While the story centres on Jamie, two of his teachers, especially Tess, feature prominently. Her storylines involve infertility and alcoholism which could be triggers for some readers.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism
reads_eats_explores's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Classism, Addiction, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Death of parent, Mental illness, Medical content, Alcoholism, Religious bigotry, Violence, Cursing, Death, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Toxic friendship