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inirac's review
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall feels like the most accurate representation of making decisions as a teenager, so we’ll done there. But had to really convince myself to keep reading half way thru. I guess I’m glad I did? I don’t know how I feel yet
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Eating disorder
madanxiety's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
The most impressive aspect of this book in my opinion is the strength of the narration and characterization, particularly in their faithfulness to the character's ages. June had such a present voice; it truly felt like hearing a teenager's thought process, but not just any teenager - a very unique, and lonely girl. The way she rationalized things and her self-consciousness and shame resonated with my own teenage experience.
Even though I really loved the way the novel captured siblinghood, jealousy, loneliness, grief, and adolescence, I do have some problems with it.
For one, June's crush on Finn disturbed me from the beginning. I was hoping it was just a weird detail, but it ended up being pretty central to the plot. I just found that so... bizarre. Sure, I suppose it's in the realm of possibility, especially for such an isolated girl, but it just left a bad taste in my mouth, especially when Toby began relating it to his gayness. It perpetuates this Freudian idea that gay people are "deviants" or perverse in the same way that incestuous people are. I think it's pretty safe to say that being gay is far more common than being in love with your relative, so I thought it was a bit weird (to say the least) that the novel seems to put them on an even playing field.
Honestly, I leave the novel a little disturbed at the fact that it has essentially convinced me that sometimes it's okay 1) to fall in love with your uncle, and 2) for a strange adult and a teenager to meet and drink and smoke together behind the backs of their parents. It's a well-told story, but are these things not troubling?
Even though I really loved the way the novel captured siblinghood, jealousy, loneliness, grief, and adolescence, I do have some problems with it.
Honestly, I leave the novel a little disturbed at the fact that it has essentially convinced me that sometimes it's okay 1) to fall in love with your uncle, and 2) for a strange adult and a teenager to meet and drink and smoke together behind the backs of their parents. It's a well-told story, but are these things not troubling?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Incest, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
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