Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Het (niet zo) orthodoxe leven van Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum

4 reviews

esthersshelf's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-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

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Funny YA book about an Orthodox Jewish teen with a crush on a mainstream girl.  Kind of like West Side Story but with

hate crimes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry

Minor: Toxic friendship

sammymilfort's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense 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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic friendship

careinthelibrary's review against another edition

3.5

dark emotional funny informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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 This is a great mix of really funny writing and serious topics. Hoodie experiencing much of the internet and social media for the first time, getting those first "big crush" jitters, his dynamic with his siblings, etc. They make for great, light-hearted and relatable moments. And then there's the stuff that I wish he didn't have to experience. The antisemitism in all its forms, mocking, denying, violent attacks. My heart hurt for his community in those moments. This author masterfully handles these two tones, shifting between the two naturally and creating a dynamic and engaging novel. 

I really liked that while Hoodie is questioning his own personal perspective and role in his faith, he never questions the core of Judaism itself, he never talks down on it. He wonders if there shouldn't be more wiggle room and whether the rules are too strict for a modern world or if they are being enforced by authorities too totally, but he never wavers in his belief. 

I loved his interactions with his older sister Zippy and how they really broadened each other's perspectives by considering how things were affecting one another. Their love and care was really sweet to see.

While this isn't a new favourite persay, it's probably just a me thing and I do recommend this to all it appeals to, it was funny and touching and a call to action against all forms of antisemitism everywhere.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Alcohol

Holocaust denial

starrysteph's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional funny sad fast-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

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CW: antisemitism, mass shooting, murder, PTSD, gun violence, hate crime, death, blood, grief, injury, bullying, medical content, toxic friendship, police brutality, misogyny, homophobia

(I received a free review copy of this book.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail