Reviews

Self-Portrait With Boy by Rachel Lyon

raejeana's review against another edition

I'm gutted.

Lu is a complicated character to follow, but Lu also makes no promises to be anything. She simply becomes. Every world that Lu belongs to, both chosen and circumstantial, shapes her complexity, which drives me mad sometimes but warms me almost just as often. Lu is no victim to her surroundings by any stretch of the imagination, but god do I feel the heat of the regretful things that ultimately bring her to herself. And then there are the people who bear witness to her. Toby, Fiona, Casper, Chad, Max, Kate. I will never be able shake Kate.

I don't regret my softness for her. Lu - and more importantly, Rachel Lyon - have an undeniable pull.

arotigliano's review against another edition

3.0

this was personally not a book I enjoyed the story of or how it was written. it did get better towards the end but I found it slow and hard to get into.

thebookchubi's review against another edition

5.0

A vivid account of 1990's NYC from an artist's perspective. The novel centers around the struggle between success and art versus morality and loyalty. An ethical dilemma you must navigate with Lu, the novels anti-hero. Torn between no good options, the story leaves you to question what would you do in her shoes. You, like the characters, will judge, yet also feel judged. Anyone who lives with hidden insecurities (and who of us doesn't) will feel that anxiety in full color on these pages. An excellent read worth your attention.

http://bookchubi.blogspot.com/2018/02/your-next-read-self-portrait-with-boy.html

kcrina's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• 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

3.0

hcothran's review against another edition

5.0

Really original novel with a very distinct and interesting narrator's voice. I really liked the pacing of the book too, and I thought the author did a great job making the narrator's central conundrum believable. I maybe could have done without the supernatural elements, but they weren't overly distracting and did add to the ominous mood. I may be stretching a bit with the 5 rating, but what the hell, it's my birthday and I'm feeling magnanimous.

bookishpages's review against another edition

challenging tense slow-paced

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

3.5

mollyharris's review against another edition

reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

signediza's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

patsaintsfan's review against another edition

5.0

Wow! What a strong debut! I loved the original writing of this story... AND the originality OF this story! What I didn't like is the lack of using quotation marks! Why is this now a "thing"? I'm seeing it in many books these days! I usually don't even bother borrowing them from the library, but, in this case, I'm glad that I didn't notice their absence until I started reading. Quite happy I didn't miss out on this book! Kudos to Ms. Lyon on her brilliant debut!

yleniareads's review against another edition

dark tense

3.75