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ez_heath's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
bookwormbi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death and Sexual assault
henrytinker's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia
Minor: Sexual assault
theremightbecupcakes's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
kers_tin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
miller8d's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Note: I pictured James Baldwin as Giovanni, and Hugh Dennis as Jacques.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
purplehulk713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
emilo's review
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Grief, and Murder
amberlen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Especially for it's length it is a complex & nuanced story. Truly well crafted. I appreciated all the layers Giovanni & David's relationship had, as well as the troubled relationship David had with his homosexuality.
But the misogyny? Oh, boy. On a different level.
And listen, it was the 50s and it's not as if some misogynistic views weren't believable for these characters. I guess it is understandable that these gay men would resent women somewhat and their internalised homophobia explains why they despise more feminine men. In addition, the women in this novel did get their own voice & called men out from time to time.
However, making every single feminine man despicable is very shady.
Minor: Death and Sexual assault