Scan barcode
katewhite77's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Wow, just wow
I have previously adored Still Life and When God Was A Rabbit and enjoyed A Year Of Marvellous Ways. Everyone one said what a masterpiece this was, so I decided to stop saving this for a rainy day and get on and read it.
You know what, those people weren't wrong. However, if you do read this, and I very much recommend that you do, you are going to need tissues throughout because it is the definition of heartbreakingly beautiful.
The story opens with a pregnant woman telling an abusive husband where he and she stand after coming home from winning a painting in a raffle.
We then flash forward thirty years, and Ellis starts to tell his own story, including meeting Michael, whose perspective we hear from later in the novel.
We follow them down the yellow brick road of life through the A.I.D.S. crisis to a point of self-acceptance. However, these two men both have very big hearts.
I have previously adored Still Life and When God Was A Rabbit and enjoyed A Year Of Marvellous Ways. Everyone one said what a masterpiece this was, so I decided to stop saving this for a rainy day and get on and read it.
You know what, those people weren't wrong. However, if you do read this, and I very much recommend that you do, you are going to need tissues throughout because it is the definition of heartbreakingly beautiful.
The story opens with a pregnant woman telling an abusive husband where he and she stand after coming home from winning a painting in a raffle.
We then flash forward thirty years, and Ellis starts to tell his own story, including meeting Michael, whose perspective we hear from later in the novel.
We follow them down the yellow brick road of life through the A.I.D.S. crisis to a point of self-acceptance. However, these two men both have very big hearts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, and Death
Minor: Physical abuse, Bullying, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Car accident, and Child abuse
More...