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georgialeanne's review against another edition
4.0
Admittedly this book took me at least 100 pages to get into as I had no idea where it was going to go but the writing is so unique and Tom, the main character, made me want to laugh and cry throughout the story. This portrayal of schizophrenia is extremely well-researched and thought-provoking. This book is a definite must read.
corahlouise's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
harrietmarydean's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dnvrdnvr's review
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
paulataua's review against another edition
3.0
Tom has lived with schizophrenia for nineteen years communicating in private with this octopus god, but then is hospitalized when his condition is triggered. One solution is for him to take part in a clinical trial of a new drug, an option that is being pushed upon him by his well-meaning family and the not so concerned doctors. I found the whole thing quite unconvincing. I found the main character, and virtually every character in the hospital, to be a shallow sketch, and the conversations there seemed quite unrealistic. I was also irritated when his beautifully poetic descriptive powers endured in the face of heavy medication. I really did struggle to get to the end. Having said that, the message of the novel was good and the last few pages almost, and I stress the ‘almost’, made it worth reading. Not my favorite critique of psychiatry, but at least a critique!
kyuteepie's review
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eviemaee's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amy_isobel02's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gemimasheila's review
challenging
dark
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katywills's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.75