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vcords_'s review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Drug use, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Trafficking, Homophobia, Body horror, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
jamies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
i don't have the words to explain how stunning this book was, i saw myself through the eyes of jay as i am also a filipino living abroad that wants to learn about their culture, i had other similarities with him but i won't expand on it anymore. it was an amazing read and i think more people should read this book right now!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Physical abuse, and Police brutality
Minor: Sexual assault, Animal death, and Trafficking
the_reading_seal's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
marissasa's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I knew this book would hit hard the moment I read the dedication page "For the hyphenated" and realized it meant to all the Filipino-Americans, children of immigrants like myself, but wow did this story break my heart on a deep level. The portrayal of family in this book is so damn accurate, from the way adult family members dance around talking about uncomfortable topics to the way that Jay's cousins interacted with him. The characterization felt so realistic with Tito Maning's machismo and his Marcos apologist beliefs, Tita Chato and her partner, Jay's Lolo and Lola, and the (absolutely hilarious) fact that Grace met her girlfriend online through a Yuri on Ice fan forum. I loved the use of letters from Jun as a way for us to learn more about the memory of him that Jay had and nothing compared to the emotional payoff towards the end when Jay reads out loud his final letter to Jun that he never got to send. I love that this book doesn't shy away from the reality of drug usage in the Philippines and reiterates that those who use or push aren't any less deserving of their lives because of it, that it calls out the corruption of the Philippine government but understands the valid reasons more people experiencing it don't speak out about it, and that it hits home the message of "none of us is one thing." I want every Fil-Am to read this book because I truly think there is so much to identify with in Jay and that so much of his story, although maybe not along the exact same lines, resonates with Fil-Am identity and with navigating the line between the two countries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Classism, Cursing, Animal death, Murder, and Death
isadreamsof's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Animal death
Moderate: Addiction and Trafficking
Minor: Sexism and Homophobia
The first scene starts with the death of a newborn puppy being described in detail. It was a non-violent death, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I don't think it would hurt to skip it.pawprintsinthesink's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? No
5.0
I loved The Patron Saints of Nothing. Though the topics are not easy ones, I found I didn’t want to put the book down. I wanted more of Jay’s story, more of Jun’s story, and I wanted to learn more about the real world in which these fictional characters live.
Jay is shocked when he learns his childhood friend and cousin has died. But when no one wants to tell him what caused his beloved cousin’s death, Jay decides to find out for himself. His journey isn’t just about grief, or solving the mystery of what happened to Jun. His journey is about more deeply connecting the parts of himself and his life that he’s had compartmentalized and separated for most of his life. As Jay learns more about his Filipino culture and is reacquainted with family he hasn’t seen in nearly a decade, he learns more about himself, his cousin, and what he wants from life.
Every component of this novel is flawless. From the incredibly well developed characters to the heart wrenching but intriguing plot to the setting, every detail is well thought out and perfectly done. The setting, a place that should be familiar but instead feels equally foreign and familiar, is a character unto itself.
The voice and writing of this novel fit perfectly with the narrator and main character, making it easy to read even while the content challenges your heart and mind.
This is the kind of book that not only inspires you to think deeply, but reminds you that everyone you know is complex, and has sides you may have never seen.
Jay is shocked when he learns his childhood friend and cousin has died. But when no one wants to tell him what caused his beloved cousin’s death, Jay decides to find out for himself. His journey isn’t just about grief, or solving the mystery of what happened to Jun. His journey is about more deeply connecting the parts of himself and his life that he’s had compartmentalized and separated for most of his life. As Jay learns more about his Filipino culture and is reacquainted with family he hasn’t seen in nearly a decade, he learns more about himself, his cousin, and what he wants from life.
Every component of this novel is flawless. From the incredibly well developed characters to the heart wrenching but intriguing plot to the setting, every detail is well thought out and perfectly done. The setting, a place that should be familiar but instead feels equally foreign and familiar, is a character unto itself.
The voice and writing of this novel fit perfectly with the narrator and main character, making it easy to read even while the content challenges your heart and mind.
This is the kind of book that not only inspires you to think deeply, but reminds you that everyone you know is complex, and has sides you may have never seen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Police brutality, and Death
Minor: Drug abuse
starsweaters's review against another edition
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
lyricalreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow. This book. Please read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Addiction, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Police brutality, Racism, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Sexual violence
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