Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

The Boy with a Bird in His Chest by Emme Lund

4 reviews

zareality's review

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hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Sweet and calming in a way. The plot was everywhere from the beginning up to around a third of the book. Then things get a bit more interesting 
✨
It’s a very slow book keep in mind. I had fun reading this. No rush, felt relaxing
✨
Beware, there are a few sexual scenes scattered around
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asteri_mou's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

4.25

I was extremely excited to read this book after all the amazing things I heard about it. The book was excellent, I just didn't connect to it as much as other people, which is ok. I don't have anything negative to say about the book. I found the story's premise very interesting and as an allegory to certain issues that other people have with their own bodies or another part of themselves. I enjoyed the descriptive writing and I liked how the reader was able to know what was going on inside the main character's mind. Tennesse was my favorite character. I wish I had a cousin like her. I think this book can be very moving for some people and I don't have any personal problems or flaws with the book, it just didn't strike me as much as it did others. 
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tinyjude's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Gosh, this was so beautifully haunting in an emotional sense. I think, with time and re-reads I will grow to appreciate it more, but still, from the characters, to their relationships, the use of metaphors, the description of such a vivid yet minimalistic landscape, and the narrative style; it was an incredible journey. I loved the imagery, how complex Owen was, his relationship with his family, friends and lover. I felt deeply inside the echos of my own fear to be seen, to be loved (as a queer person)... as I read his thoughts and feelings. The pull he felt towards the water. Any sort of kaleidoscopic description given, honestly, was just so... tasty for the senses. His apathy, depression and anxiety were also very relatable. It made me want to hug him so bad. They all deserve a good hug.
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caseythereader's review

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

3.75

Thanks to Atria Books for the free advance copy of this book.

 - THE BOY WITH A BIRD IN HIS CHEST is a lovely exploration of queerness through the lens of magical realism. Reading Owen and Gail as a metaphor for being queer (and trans, specifically, was how I read it) is both a gut punch and a warm hug.
- This is a book that makes you feel like you're drifting along the currents with it (fitting for a book about a boy drawn to water). Most of it is just languidly figuring things out, with a few propulsive events sprinkled in. You just need to be willing to ride along with Owen as he finds himself. 
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