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jayisreading's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
This was a quiet novel focusing on the somewhat complicated relationship between Ellis, Michael, and Annie. I say complicated in the sense that the relationship between Ellis and Michael in particular wasn’t exactly defined, other than that there was an intense intimacy between the two that somewhat fell apart as they grew older. Told first from the perspective of Ellis, followed by a more intimate perspective from Michael (which I think was a result of it being told in the first person), the reader saw the wonders and tensions of love in every sense of the word through their narratives during the 1980s and 1990s in the United Kingdom (and France, for some moments).
I found that I was most invested in Michael’s section, especially to see how he made sense of his identity as a gay man during the AIDS epidemic. Unfortunately, I felt that his section wasn’t nearly as developed as it could have been, though, to be frank, I feel that the novel overall wasn’t as developed as I had hoped. Given the shortness of this novel, I think Winman could have taken more time to flesh out her characters more to really dig into their interiorities and, of course, their relationships with one another. While the prose was beautiful, I was a bit let down by the fact that there wasn’t depth in the content to make the writing really shine.
It seems like this novel worked really well for many other readers, but I found myself wanting a little more than what was given.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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
foxglovefairy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Most beautiful. A favorite. Will read again. I have a deeper appreciation for Van Gogh as well and the impact art has on our memories and experiences with those we love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
berrytart's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was great, emotional but amazing nonetheless!
The relationships are well written, I feel like I could actually connect with the feelings of the characters!
Okay this is more of a pet peeve, nothing against the story, but I couldn’t stand the sentences having no quotation marks! It really isn’t that big of a deal and it was probably just a design choice but still!
(I am so sleepy when making this review, my bad for any mistakes lol)
The relationships are well written, I feel like I could actually connect with the feelings of the characters!
Okay this is more of a pet peeve, nothing against the story, but I couldn’t stand the sentences having no quotation marks! It really isn’t that big of a deal and it was probably just a design choice but still!
(I am so sleepy when making this review, my bad for any mistakes lol)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Sexual content, Medical content, and Child abuse
Minor: Abandonment
shelfofunread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
madread8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Grief, Terminal illness, and Sexual content
james1star's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
‘It was simple, it was daft, it was beautiful, it was Michael.’
I won’t describe the plot as I truly believe you should go into this book blind - the back cover only says it’s about Ellis and Michael and then a girl called Annie arrives. The reading experience, getting to understand the story, events fitting into place and character interactions are so worthwhile, it was of the upmost pleasure to read this book. I say that, but oh my did Winman give me all the feels and I can confirm I cried multiple times at this little book. Beautifully raw and heartbreaking writing adds to this but there’s also many lovely parts too - it’s quite the rollercoaster. I know I have to give this book a reread (and it’ll be horrible knowing what’s to come as I do so) to cement my thoughts because in many ways I’m at a loss for words after finishing it. I do know it’s instantly became a new favourite of mine and I’m extremely grateful to have read this book. Please read it, you will not regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual content, Homophobia, Racism, Cancer, and Death of parent
bguyre's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Terminal illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse
naddl0r's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Death, Grief, and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
its about the fact that they loved at all that makes this book so tragic... that they loved and lost but didnt lose each other and then did lose each other and then found each other again only for ellis to lose both of his loves with such finality...goodbye. im gonna think abt this book for a long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Car accident, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Death, Drug use, Death of parent, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content and Cursing