Reviews

Swimming in the Monsoon Sea by Shyam Selvadurai

afterttherain's review against another edition

3.0

a tad bit juvenile for me but SO GOOD for my first selvadurai

emeraldgarnet's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting YA novel.

kkdelrey's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

neens_library's review against another edition

emotional funny sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

dalstellar's review

emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

atuin's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

If I had a nickle for every queer coming of age story with cousin romance, I'd have two nickles, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.

This story had some beutiful descriptions of Sri lanka, and did a good job exploring the turmoil a young man feels when 14. Unfortunatly, I found myself really disliking the main character, and had a hard time staying invested in his plight. I understand that 14 is an immature age, and some of my dislike comes from remembering how I was at that age, but that did not make it easier to inhabit his thoughts. The story has a rythm of a long stroll with a sudden rough turn of the trail near the end. It is an interesting style, but not one I enjoyed very much. I think this is a good book, and the low ranking is purely my personal enjoyment of it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia and Incest

Minor: Child abuse and Alcoholism

lsparrow's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this book of a young boy growing up in Columbo - discovering himself and those around him.

disnelyse's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Bullying

Moderate: Homophobia and Alcoholism

Minor: Racism

annieca's review

sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

ellenmc07's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Right off the bat, Amrith is such a weird character. Like one on the hand, the trauma my dude. No wonder you react the way you do. On the other hand, it doesn't mean you get to be a jerk about it. This novel was slow but, it didn't need to be fast. It's a personal journey that doesn't have all the right answers. It's confusing, messy with moments of beauty sprinkled in for good measure. Go into this knowing it'll be a journey and I guarantee you'll come out pondering on the other side.