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emlibe'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? No
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Kidnapping, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
Minor: Pedophilia and Police brutality
katiejohns's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Grief, Death, Murder, and Hate crime
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Kidnapping
breaklikeafish's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
We, the reader, follow the protagonist Cyril Avery through his entire life in several parts separated by seven-year time skips. I loved that structure and think it was very well executed. The way everything that happens in Cyril's life seems interconnected, and some people remain constant during all stages, while unrealistic, made for a very engaging read. I honestly would not have thought I'd rate this book a solid five stars after the first half because some characters' atrocious actions seemed to be explained away with too little discussion for my liking. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the latter chapters addressed every issue and tied up Cyril's life story so well that I wouldn't change anything about it.
This also made for very realistic character development for Cyril and the other characters. Cyril's internal monologue changes and grows with him. Still, he maintains a very distinctive style. He describes his life's story with so much wit and humor that I laughed out loud several times. Literally.
Some plot points and most of the dialogue seem entirely unrealistic. However, I found that I had a better experience with the novel overall after I accepted that Cyril might not be the most reliable narrator and the events were simply told through his eyes. For example, both Cyril and Julian's obsession with sex from an extremely young age seemed extremely disturbing and not at all funny to me, but given the trajectory of Cyril's life and the role his own sexuality colored almost every aspect of the first few decades of his life, it kind of makes sense that he would fixate on and exaggerate these parts of his early life.
My favorite part, as much as I loved Cyril's journey, remained the first one. I thought having Cyril narrate his mother's story despite not being born at the time was a very interesting narrative choice. I would totally read an entire novel told in that way.
In conclusion, this one goes firmly on my list of recommendations! It touched some very deep emotions in me and managed to make me laugh on the way.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Infidelity, Death, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Outing, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Cursing
fed's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
lemonem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Violence and Kidnapping
smalljules'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
5.0
If you are able make it past the content warnings, I believe this book will move your heart and soul.
Graphic: Homophobia and Hate crime
Moderate: Death, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Trafficking, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Violence, Terminal illness, Sexism, Murder, and Kidnapping
savheath's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Outing, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Cursing, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
ludwijag's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
ae_world'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
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Murder, Emotional abuse, Violence, Pregnancy, Outing, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Hate crime, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Kidnapping
caties_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Blood, Chronic illness, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs