Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one is one of my favourite movies so when I saw the book, I couldn't stop myself from buying a copy and going through the agonising pain of experiencing this story again. Being so in love with literature and writing, this movie spoke to me on so many levels and the years haven't changed that. I was 18 when I first saw it and decided not to give up on my dreams. It's such an inspirational piece that I cannot translate into words. You must live it, especially the movie, which is so well acted. I really adore Neil and Charlie's characters and feel so proud of Todd at the end. They are, in a sense, my kids. I wish I had a Mr. Keating in real life, but having him fictional is already enough. What a marvellous story. It obviously has its issues (mainly racism and misogyny) but the overall message can touch the heart of anyone deeply entangled with the arts field.
I really recommend to watch the movie first, then read the book, because it translates better in the screen and the characters feel much more vivid thanks to the actors portrayals. Still it's a good piece to keep close by when I cannot re-watch that masterpiece.
I really recommend to watch the movie first, then read the book, because it translates better in the screen and the characters feel much more vivid thanks to the actors portrayals. Still it's a good piece to keep close by when I cannot re-watch that masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief
Moderate: Child death, Suicide
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While my love for the film is evidently what led me to this book, I noted things that I did not in the film. Whether it be the way a scene was portrayed or an inclusion that, for whatever reason, was cut in the final product.
Ultimately, my biggest takeaway from this novelization was that we got more insight on Todd's character. I think a lot of Todd is left to inference or contextual reference in the film, where as the book gave more of an internal insight for all of the things he didn't say, or rather the things we never got to see him say.
Simply written and simply read, yet quite an effective read and holds just as valuable of a resonance as the film.
Ultimately, my biggest takeaway from this novelization was that we got more insight on Todd's character. I think a lot of Todd is left to inference or contextual reference in the film, where as the book gave more of an internal insight for all of the things he didn't say, or rather the things we never got to see him say.
Simply written and simply read, yet quite an effective read and holds just as valuable of a resonance as the film.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Cultural appropriation
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book because i love the movie to bits and pieces and i was surprised that i wish so much of this short book was put back in the movie.(it’s my understanding that this book is written after the movies screenplay? so most of the scenes were in the movie, just cut)
The queer subtext is hardy subtext in my opinion, mainly just something that is not on the page but if you read it, i feel like anyone can see the connection of neil and todd in a romantic way.
the only thing about this book i don’t enjoy is how it portrays women, all of the women shown are sexually explicit in some way.Chris gets sexually assaulted by Knox and she is the one apologizing at the end, Keating presents explicit photos of women to his class, and Charlie brings two older women to hang out with a group of teenage boys in order to woo them with poetry
obviously some of this is a symptom of the time, but i don’t think that excuses it from criticism.
Overall though it is a book that is short but very organized with the way it spends its limited time with the characters. Nothing felt rushed, it just felt like how fast life normally goes when you are in school and with your friends.
The queer subtext is hardy subtext in my opinion, mainly just something that is not on the page but if you read it, i feel like anyone can see the connection of neil and todd in a romantic way.
the only thing about this book i don’t enjoy is how it portrays women, all of the women shown are sexually explicit in some way.
obviously some of this is a symptom of the time, but i don’t think that excuses it from criticism.
Overall though it is a book that is short but very organized with the way it spends its limited time with the characters. Nothing felt rushed, it just felt like how fast life normally goes when you are in school and with your friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, Blood, Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, Alcohol
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adore this story and I think I'll like the movie even more when I get to watching it. This is mostly because it suits everything (almost everything) I search for in a story more so than because it's without flaws.
You'll like this story if you like: short stories that do a phenomenal job at providing a character driven narrative with unique, well-rounded characters; breaking the mold in a strict academic setting; whimsical rolemodels; queer themes (it does not have explicitly queer characters though); an ending that fits thematically and will rip your heart out.
Unfortunately, the story does include some derogatory stuff towards native Americans. Women are also objectified (because apparently the theme of self-determination only extends to one of the sexes)... Don't pick up this book if this affects your reading experience.
You'll like this story if you like: short stories that do a phenomenal job at providing a character driven narrative with unique, well-rounded characters; breaking the mold in a strict academic setting; whimsical rolemodels; queer themes (it does not have explicitly queer characters though); an ending that fits thematically and will rip your heart out.
Unfortunately, the story does include some derogatory stuff towards native Americans. Women are also objectified (because apparently the theme of self-determination only extends to one of the sexes)... Don't pick up this book if this affects your reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
“And still we sleep.”
thank fuck they changed some of these scenes in the last script wtf
thank fuck they changed some of these scenes in the last script wtf
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nachdem ich den Film absolut geliebt habe, hatte ich wirklich hohe Erwartungen an dieses Buch, die leider nicht erfüllt wurden.
Ich mochte es, dass das Buch so nah an dem Film geblieben ist und auch Szenen mit hineingenommen hat, die aus der entgültigen Filmversion herausgeschnitten wurden, allerdings war die Erzählweise häufig etwas schwach. Der größte Kritikpunkt ist meiner Meinung nach allerdings die übermäßige Sexualisierung und Objektifizierung der weiblichen Charaktere. Ich habe absolutes Verständnis dafür, dass die Geschichte aus einer Zeit stammt, in der die Sichtweise auf diesen Punkt vielleicht noch etwas anders war, allerdings sind in diesem Buch einige Szenen meiner Meinung nach grenzwertig bis grenzüberschreitend (Stichwort: Knoxs Verhalten auf der Party gegenüber Chris). Dadurch wurden auch einige Charaktere, die ich im Film wirklich mochte, mir im Buch doch ziemlich unsympathisch.
Alles in allem konnte dieses Buch also leider trotz großem Potentials in keinster Weise mit dem Film mithalten.
Ich mochte es, dass das Buch so nah an dem Film geblieben ist und auch Szenen mit hineingenommen hat, die aus der entgültigen Filmversion herausgeschnitten wurden, allerdings war die Erzählweise häufig etwas schwach. Der größte Kritikpunkt ist meiner Meinung nach allerdings die übermäßige Sexualisierung und Objektifizierung der weiblichen Charaktere. Ich habe absolutes Verständnis dafür, dass die Geschichte aus einer Zeit stammt, in der die Sichtweise auf diesen Punkt vielleicht noch etwas anders war, allerdings sind in diesem Buch einige Szenen meiner Meinung nach grenzwertig bis grenzüberschreitend (Stichwort: Knoxs Verhalten auf der Party gegenüber Chris). Dadurch wurden auch einige Charaktere, die ich im Film wirklich mochte, mir im Buch doch ziemlich unsympathisch.
Alles in allem konnte dieses Buch also leider trotz großem Potentials in keinster Weise mit dem Film mithalten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Classism
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Grief