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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
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:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
A passionate elegy to the Chicago gay community in the '80s and its subsequent decimation from the AIDS virus.
This is the first book I’ve read in a very long time that did a two-timeline story to perfection. Of late, I’ve been really tired of the two timeline trope of novels, mainly because they’re formulaic and one of the stories (usually the modern one) is a waste of time - because it’s just functioning as a plot device. This is SO not that.
Both Yale and Fiona’s stories are fully realized on their own, and the intersection a natural part of the story. Each has real stakes, real characterizations, real complexity. With the alternating chapters, I wanted to keep reading because I was invested in each story independently. This very personal take on the AIDS crisis and how it impacted lives was very compelling and heart-wrenching.
One aspect that I really loved was how it showed the limitations of our perceptions. How first impressions and assumptions of people and situations can end up being totally skewed. I felt that a lot with Yale’s character. That we were along for the ride as he has to reconsider and review his assumptions about all of these people in his life. And really, the same for Fiona. The first impression you get of most characters is eventually revealed to be different or much more complicated as things unfold.
Both Yale and Fiona’s stories are fully realized on their own, and the intersection a natural part of the story. Each has real stakes, real characterizations, real complexity. With the alternating chapters, I wanted to keep reading because I was invested in each story independently. This very personal take on the AIDS crisis and how it impacted lives was very compelling and heart-wrenching.
One aspect that I really loved was how it showed the limitations of our perceptions. How first impressions and assumptions of people and situations can end up being totally skewed. I felt that a lot with Yale’s character. That we were along for the ride as he has to reconsider and review his assumptions about all of these people in his life. And really, the same for Fiona. The first impression you get of most characters is eventually revealed to be different or much more complicated as things unfold.
dark
emotional
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
Despite its length, I read this in 1 sitting. The characters were well crafted, telling the story of AIDS crisis through the lens of one small group of friends. You will cry.