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schausjk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
From what I've read about the book itself, it's probably more satisfying for folks who've read previous David Mitchell books and can enjoy the ways it intersects with those previous books, but for a first-time reader like me, it was just tolerable
Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexism, and Antisemitism
apersonfromflorida's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Drug use
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Police brutality, and Child death
Minor: Addiction, Lesbophobia, War, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Infertility, Death of parent, and Cancer
emzeidman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Drug use and Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Miscarriage
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Child death, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual content and War
joyjoyjoy's review
5.0
This is just totally my kind of book. Queer characters get to exist unapologetically, and the premise of the book is so exactly my thing that it's ridiculous. I still haven't found a way to process the ending, or what the hell was going on with Jasper, but I will.
Anyway, Elf is my new hero and I want to play psychedelic folk-jazz-rock now.
I would also like to note that this book takes place in the 60s, and as such the language used and viewpoints shown are definitely outdated sometimes. Take heed of the trigger warnings. Specific instances include a couple of mentions of the words "poof"/"queer"/"f*g" etc, some cultural appropriation of Native American imagery, and the use of the historically misogynistic and racist epithet directed against Indigenous women that I don't want to write out (it starts with 's'). The overall tone of the book is quite accepting and positive, but these things do come up. As for the representation of mental illness, I can't give a verdict on that.
Graphic: Grief, Drug use, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Police brutality
Moderate: Child death, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and War
marytylerr's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child death and Drug use
Minor: Racism
claire_builds_a_stair's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
blenchbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really wanted to love this book and there were some parts that I really enjoyed but sadly it just wasn't a win for me.
I would recommend this book for fans of the 60s or those who lived through them and want some nostalgia but I would also recommend reading his last three books first as I think understanding the references does add something to this one.
I will still 100% pick up Mitchell's next book and I hope I enjoy it more than this one.
Graphic: Drug use and Death
Moderate: Child death and Suicide attempt
versacrum's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Drug use, and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Police brutality, Rape, and Gun violence
jomarchkinnie's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Violence, Physical abuse, Infertility, Gun violence, Grief, Drug abuse, Death, Child abuse, and Child death