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hannah_mariee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Self harm, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Child abuse, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Blood, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
oceanebooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
First of all: The cover alone is a piece of art. It's different from the self-published edition but I think they both look really good.
Then, secondly: The language. It was very poetic, and that to an extend that even for me it felt like a bit too much. There were just a few passages where even I thought this metaphor was a bit unneccessary. Keep in mind though, things like that are entirely subjective (just like the whole review itself, lol) and this is Lancali's distinctive narrative style. And once you get used to it you really like it. At least I did.
At the same time I still see the criticism. Scamming through a few other reviews I either found people bawling their eyes out and throwing 5 stars after this book - or they didn't give it more than a 2.5 which, in my opinion is valid, it's people's opinion and it's normal to disagree. Most of them were complaining about how the author romanticizes illnesses (both physical and mental) in her story.
I don't think she does. Yes, one can get that impression because of her language style (see what I wrote before), but with no means does she intend to make something as cruel as pain and disease look that way.
Especially knowing why she wrote this novel, I see it in a different way. For context: Lancali had a friend, named Sam (like the narrator, so much can I say), who she got to know in hospital when she was ill herself. They wanted to write a book together, but Sam died when she had just finished the first few chapters. So, there's the personal aspect to it that in my opinion doesn't allow anyone to give this book a rating lower than 4. But of course, my point of view.
Lancali, you did a great job in shattering my heart to pieces. Thank you for your service.
This is one of the saddest yet most beautiful books I've ever read. It'll stay in my mind for a long time, just as the characters will. And also: The representation: chef's kiss.
Some very much needed male representation of an eating disorder (and its causes), and also depression and self harm. But also physical illnesses. Besides that, the queer representation went beyond gay or lesbian or bi to pan, non-binary and also fluid. THANK YOU. (keep in mind though, that's not the main focus of the book.)
I think that's it. I'll go and grieve a little more now. (I'm not crying you are!)
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Suicide, Terminal illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, War, Blood, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Homophobia, and Vomit
fionamh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
vagabond_bones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Medical content, Violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, and Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Homophobia
Minor: Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Abortion
notyourvegetable's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I did like the characters and the overall message of the book and it definitly made me feel something, but there were just so many things that I feel like needed more editing and time.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicide, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Grief, and Death
tabithahickman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I absolutely loved the characters, my favorites being Neo and Sony. Reading this made me feel like I was there having these adventures with them. I laughed, I cried, and I loved with them.
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Self harm and Eating disorder
Minor: Suicide
reiley_61's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Death, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Self harm, and Terminal illness
valerie123's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Self harm, Violence, Rape, Eating disorder, Medical content, Suicide, and Sexual violence
Minor: Child death, Pregnancy, and Blood
em_davies7019's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Eating disorder, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Rape, Mental illness, and Medical content
elkila's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Grief, Mental illness, Self harm, Child death, Death, Gore, Medical content, Terminal illness, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape