Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg

7 reviews

zefancifulreader's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Walked into this book thinking I was going to get a fun queer summer romance, set on a food truck. NOPE. 
This is a book about two, flawed, struggling, gay boys on the edge of manhood who desperately need to go to therapy. (I’m happy to report that at least one of them is seeing a councillor by the end of the story.) 
In all seriousness, this book really dives into the mess of grief, toxic masculinity, consent without sinking too far into the darkness, which I appreciated. Huge salute to the author for tackling consent and toxic masculinity as a main theme. I don’t see it enough, especially in queer books. 

I’m not sure if I’m totally on board with the “it’s all meant to be” message at the end but I loved the softness that the author wove into the hearts of Jordan and Max. 
Not a huge fan of the carbon copy best friends thing that was going on, it felt a bit lazy, but I’m relieved that the superficial relationships grew into more as the story progressed, even if it felt a bit forced.
The pacing was a bit odd, which sort of messed with the plot twists and relationship developments for me.

I also felt like Jordan was in a much chiller, “look on the bright side” head space at the end of the book, for all the bullshit that had landed on him without any therapy and not near enough process time. It’s super unrealistic. Like one kickboxing session with Max is not going to cure your abandonment and grief at the loss of your Dad, Mom, and Home. 🙄

 
I loved experiencing the slow vulnerability that Jordan and Max showed one another. It was like watching the walls of toxic masculinity quietly crumble to the ground. 
Overall, it was a surprising and lovely story. One prickly pear lemonade for me! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Death of parent, and Misogyny

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts

a_l_reads's review

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical content, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Racism, and Chronic illness

Minor: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, and Homophobia

readingcavern's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, and Rape

Minor: Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia

ranjanireviewsreads's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

Ever wondered what it feels like to grow up? During, it's difficult to differentiate one moment from another. In hindsight, it might be easy to merge memories. 

The Music of What Happens is what I would recommend if you want the answer to that question. Bill Konigsberg uses witty, snappy language with hidden heartfelt moments to authentically portray the joy, misery, loneliness, and connection felt in the late teen years. Growing up gay, biracial, lonely; it's not something everyone can understand, much less wonder about. 

Heartfelt, real, and incredibly beautiful; The Music of What Happens is a reflection of the teenage experience of coming of age, falling in love, and figuring out how to be your own person. A must read for the young adult contemporary reader.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Addiction, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Homophobia

Minor: Racial slurs, Vomit, Racism, Grief, and Body shaming

justreaditem's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

This book took me completely by surprise. 

Not only does it show an honest story between two young gay boys, it shows the relationship between mother and son, father and son, and friendships. It shows how men can just as easily be sexually assaulted and raped as women; and and that addiction comes in many forms. If I didn't know any addicts, I wouldn't have been able to sympathise with Jordan's mum. For addicts to truly get the help they need, they have to want it because nothing is more important than their fix, not even their kids. I adored that Max was Hispanic/Latino, as it showed brought another layer of male posturing and homophobia, not only within sports but also within other cultures. 

Jordan and Max had a really cute relationship, the way they argued and grew as a couple, with all their own issues before realising that a problem shared is a problem halved, and eventually knew that they could rely on each other no matter what. 

I can't wait for this author's next book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Addiction

Moderate: Racial slurs and Toxic relationship

laejone's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

4.5

There were parts where I felt the story lag a little bit, but the ending made me really happy and emotional.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Addiction

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

memorable's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-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

4.75

Wow! I just finished this book as an audiobook and I’m deeply moved. Jordan and Max faced so many obstacles, so many sad moments, and are so different from each other, yet they find their way and accept each other for who they are. This book has lots of topics that are dealt with and are challenged, so you have to be in the right mindset to be able to deal with them. But in the end, this book is really hopeful. I loved it!
I think it’s even better when you read it as part such as the theatre play were a little confusing to listen to. I also gotta admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of “the wives”, yet I really liked how they all talked about setting boundaries in the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Racism, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Bullying

Toxic masculinity Gambling Gaslighting Talks about/ descriptions of food HIV/AIDS Low self esteem/ lots of down talking oneself