Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Mr. Loverman

If he were a real person, Barry would be absolutely insufferable - a conservative, a landlord, a homophobe and transphobe, someone happy to uphold a harmful status quo as long as they benefit from it. And yet, Ms Evaristo tells his story with such warmth and humour I couldn't help but be drawn into his world and cheer him on his journey towards self-acceptance.
The writing flows like honey, and the complexities of issues from internalised homophobia to post-natal depression are handled with grace and compassion.
This is also the first book I've ever read with a protagonist from Antigua and Barbuda, and I really appreciated the insight into this rich, vibrant culture.

Content Warnings

sakisreads's review

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adventurous funny reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. Bernadine Evaristo does not 👏🏼 mess 👏🏼 around 👏🏼 After reading ‘Girl, Woman, Other’ and obsessing over it, I was over the moon when I saw this book in Waterstones! I adore Barry and you can really feel how nuanced and multifaceted he is (in terms of his career, his culture and his sexuality - none of it is black or white and feels three-dimensional)! The end surprised and made me squeal though 🥰

Because although Barry is a dick, I expected her to be a ‘woman of God’ whatever that means and to stay with him for life somehow! I didn’t see this transformation building!

I am recommending this to anyone who will tolerate my squeals about it, it is STUNNING 🏳️‍🌈

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paperknotbooks's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

Content Warnings

alayamorning's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

Content Warnings

zombiezami's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

This book was fantastic: beautifully written with complex characters. I found myself liking Barry in spite of myself. His attitudes rubbed me the wrong way and often reminded me of male family members whom I find exhausting. Even so, I found myself very entertained by him and feeling compassion for him as a human. I thought he was excellent as an untrustworthy narrator.

Content Warnings