Scan barcode
backpackingbookworm's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I want to start by saying how wonderful the audio version is of this book. The narrator, Kate Hood, switched characters brilliantly and added so much personality to each one. I fell in love with Tim's character and much of this was down to the way Kate portrayed him. There is an incident in the beginning when Tim is at work and I broke down in tears at the unfairness. Never before has a book made me weep the way this one did. Again, I believe much of this was down to the narration and how authentic it felt.
I definitely preferred the first half of Tim and found the second to be a little unrealistic in parts. That said, I was still thoroughly invested in the story and the blossoming relationship between Tim and Mary. Based on the description, I thought this sounded like Mary was preying on Tim, describing her as a spinster and him as child-like but there was so much more to it than that. Yes, Mary is older but only in her 40s and what she sees in Tim is much deeper than his physical looks and low IQ. I actually really enjoyed their story and thought it brought a lot to light.
I chose to listen to Tim for my January reading challenge - characters with a disability - and was happy with my choice. I don't think I would have picked it up otherwise. I learned a lot from this book, about how people with learning disabilities are treated, mocked, and pitied, but also how those around them are spoken to, with sympathy or judgement. Tim was a bubbly, kind, and inspiring character who proved that just because you're not deemed 'normal' doesn't mean you can't live life the way you want to.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 3.8
Writing style/readability - 3.9
Characters - 4.4
Diverse themes - 4.2
Ending - 4
Overall - 4
I definitely preferred the first half of Tim and found the second to be a little unrealistic in parts. That said, I was still thoroughly invested in the story and the blossoming relationship between Tim and Mary. Based on the description, I thought this sounded like Mary was preying on Tim, describing her as a spinster and him as child-like but there was so much more to it than that. Yes, Mary is older but only in her 40s and what she sees in Tim is much deeper than his physical looks and low IQ. I actually really enjoyed their story and thought it brought a lot to light.
I chose to listen to Tim for my January reading challenge - characters with a disability - and was happy with my choice. I don't think I would have picked it up otherwise. I learned a lot from this book, about how people with learning disabilities are treated, mocked, and pitied, but also how those around them are spoken to, with sympathy or judgement. Tim was a bubbly, kind, and inspiring character who proved that just because you're not deemed 'normal' doesn't mean you can't live life the way you want to.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 3.8
Writing style/readability - 3.9
Characters - 4.4
Diverse themes - 4.2
Ending - 4
Overall - 4
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Death
The language used to describe Tim's disability is archaic due to the year of publication and would be deemed offensive by many today.
More...