Reviews

Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon

annetjeberg's review against another edition

3.0

This was a strange book. I really disliked the main character, but somehow I really wanted to find out what would happen to her. Of course, nothing really good can come from a self portrait with a boy falling to death.

Different.

allibroad's review against another edition

3.0

Beautifully written. Just painful to read.

nixieknox's review against another edition

3.0

This was a compelling story - the main character was driven and not always nice/thoughtful. She justified everything to herself for the sake of her art, good and bad. Not being an artist it was hard to sympathize with this. I don't want to spoil anything.

I wasn't down with the ghost stuff. But overall, I recommend this.

jmm2431's review against another edition

4.0

Really good story. I think it dragged on longer than it needed to be.

umeboshhhi's review against another edition

funny sad medium-paced

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

3.75

jenk2020's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

C - 9 A - 8 W - 9 P - 9 I - 8 L - 9 E - 7

busyenjoyinglife's review against another edition

reflective sad

4.25

tomhill's review against another edition

3.0

3.5-The premise is impossible to resist, kind of ingenious I think, and the precipitating incident is hauntingly depicted. There are a lot of big ideas explored here: what is art's value when measured against human suffering? Art should be "pure" and thought-provoking, but at what cost? Should luck be passed off genius? A deeper exploration of characters might have been possible, but the book is very effective at exploring the questions it poses.

howardl's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

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

2.0

main character sucks big
time

laurbgill's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0