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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
An odd book with some really moving themes that didn’t quite gel for me. The AIDS love-and-loss story is very poignant (AIDS stories always wreck me). I appreciated the slow reveal that many of the details about Finn’s life and apartment, such as cherished objects, favorite music, and personality quirks had a shared origin story with the love of his life, Toby. As someone in a longterm partnership since 2010, it’s relatable/understandable how many of their interests, possessions, and habits have become intertwined. It was incredibly sad to imagine Toby hiding in the basement storage unit while June and her family visited with Finn upstairs.
I had trouble finding believable the other relationships and character motivations. I thought it was kind of creepy and weird (though her shame was described) that June was in love with her uncle. I didn’t fully understand what was going on with Greta and her actions. Some aspects of the plot seemed half-baked, like when June wanted to go to England with Toby but then quickly abandoned the idea. I thought the parents being accountants might have been a convenient way to not have to write much about them since most of June’s secret commuting to New York happens during tax season. Overall, a slightly frustrating reading experience for me, but a unique story nonetheless.
I had trouble finding believable the other relationships and character motivations. I thought it was kind of creepy and weird (though her shame was described) that June was in love with her uncle. I didn’t fully understand what was going on with Greta and her actions. Some aspects of the plot seemed half-baked, like when June wanted to go to England with Toby but then quickly abandoned the idea. I thought the parents being accountants might have been a convenient way to not have to write much about them since most of June’s secret commuting to New York happens during tax season. Overall, a slightly frustrating reading experience for me, but a unique story nonetheless.
I enjoyed "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" but I found it confusing at times. I wasn't sure I liked Greta became she was so mean to June when it appeared that everything was going right in her life. I also felt that I couldn't trust June because one minute she was honest and caring to Toby and the next minute, I felt like she was using him to feel close to Finn. I wished that we could have heard more about Danni's feelings. It does all get answered in the end but I felt like I was exploring the lives of a family that didn't get along, lied to each other, and didn't pay much attention to each other, very dysfunctional.
I don't even know what to say about this book. It was such a special story with characters that will stay with me forever. Highly recommend.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Terminal illness
3.5 - this book was alright. (It doesn’t help that I’d just finished a book that I loved prior to reading this one - rebound books always get a rough deal b/c it’s hard to compare)
The story was okay, but I wasn’t particularly pulled in by the characters or writing. I did appreciate reading a story set from this point of view at this phase of the AIDS epidemic, since my own experience/knowledge came much later after more was known and there wasn’t this same level of fear
The story was okay, but I wasn’t particularly pulled in by the characters or writing. I did appreciate reading a story set from this point of view at this phase of the AIDS epidemic, since my own experience/knowledge came much later after more was known and there wasn’t this same level of fear
emotional
sad
medium-paced