Reviews

Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind by Molly McGhee

savvylit's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind is a truly terrific anti-work novel. In writing this, McGhee has created an uncomfortable sci-fi setting that feels nearly plausible and also perfectly illustrates the pitfalls of unethical employment. Abernathy as protagonist is a comically gullible and often unlikable young man. His naivete tiptoes the line between believability and satire in a way that kept me riveted throughout. Clearly, McGhee has a deep understanding of American work culture and the desperation that many feel when it comes to finding literally ANY job that may offer a sliver of stability. Though the job that Abernathy accepts is fantastical in nature, it serves as a perfect stand-in for any one of the myriad jobs in this country that ask employees to give up way too much of themselves.

Thank you @astrahousebooks for the advance reader copy of Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Confinement, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

snicksnacksnorum's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

3.5

mwelbel's review against another edition

3.0

I don’t feel like I really  “got” this book. The premise is cool but idk if I missed something or if it was actually just not all fleshed out.  

awilderm23's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Death of parent

hbc72's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

4.75

shiveringskeleton's review

dark mysterious

5.0

contactbuddy's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

semmons99's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

sarpdem's review

5.0

"For Abernathy, to look at her is to feel a new type of heartbreak. Once you appreciate someone in this manner, you always then realize how tenuous their existence is. At any moment, two lives can untwine. Abernathy cannot bear to be drawn further in or pushed further away. He can't seem to find balance."

My heart. Is torn. Asunder.

kerickertful's review

funny slow-paced

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

3.5

Not sure I “got” this but I enjoyed it.