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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
I thought this book was alright. I really wanted to like it more than I did, I feel like just because it was written well I shouldn’t just jump for joy because it’s considered amazing. Right off the bat we know there is this foreboding feeling and we see the kind of life Mungo is going to end up living. This is where I felt like the writing style kind of carried the book. There are so many plot twists that even though we see them coming it’s still a shock when everything adds up. The storytelling did get confusing at times and I found myself having to reread sections. Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention though.
I actually started this as an audiobook. Sadly I ran out of time and wasn’t able to listen to it all the way through before I had to return it. The audio truly provides a much better experience. I eventually had to finish this with my physical copy and it was still enjoyable but I did find it to drag on more than the audiobook did.
This book is an experience. The writing style and storytelling is what made this book as enjoyable for me as it was. This isn’t going to be a favourite or a book I’ll end up rereading but it was a good time and I did end up devouring it when I picked it up again.
Anyone looking to read this book check out the trigger warnings.
I actually started this as an audiobook. Sadly I ran out of time and wasn’t able to listen to it all the way through before I had to return it. The audio truly provides a much better experience. I eventually had to finish this with my physical copy and it was still enjoyable but I did find it to drag on more than the audiobook did.
This book is an experience. The writing style and storytelling is what made this book as enjoyable for me as it was. This isn’t going to be a favourite or a book I’ll end up rereading but it was a good time and I did end up devouring it when I picked it up again.
Anyone looking to read this book check out the trigger warnings.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"There it was again, that phrase. They all wanted to see this man inside him."
Excited to read about another queer story, ended up punched in the gut and left to bruise by the characters. I can feel the damp, gray, smirring Glasgow in almost every page. Insane.
Excited to read about another queer story, ended up punched in the gut and left to bruise by the characters. I can feel the damp, gray, smirring Glasgow in almost every page. Insane.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
Loved the writing style, the setting, and the characters. Mungo was extremely endearing to me.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism
Minor: Religious bigotry
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Douglas Stuart scrive un romanzo intenso, un'alternanza tra momenti di tenerezza (la storia d'amore tra il protestante Mungo e il cattolico James) e momenti di violenza, una violenza che raggiunge livelli che non avrei mai sospettato all'inizio della lettura. Una violenza che non rimane circoscritta all'ambientazione certamente aspra dei quartieri popolari di Glasgow dove vive il protagonista, afflitti dagli scontri tra bande giovanili, ma che monta nel corso della narrazione e, come una valanga, travolge i personaggi. Un violenza, aggiungo, che mi ha costretto in più di un'occasione a interrompere la lettura per riprendere fiato. Ben descritti i personaggi: la famiglia disfunzionale di Mungo in cui ognuno pensa per sé e che lascia il protagonista, membro più giovane e innocente della famiglia, senza protezioni. Nel corso del romanzo anche Mungo finisce preda della crudeltà del mondo che ingloba già gli altri membri della sua famiglia, nonostante l'influenza salvifica di James. Stuart tratteggia figure molto umane, contraddittorie, mette in luce le intime ragioni alla base di parole e azioni pur senza offrire giustificazioni. Ben studiata anche la struttura del romanzo, i cui capitoli oscillano tra presente e passato. La progressiva scoperta di ciò che è accaduto nei mesi passati, alternata alla narrazione delle dirette conseguenze nel presente mantiene viva la curiosità del lettore e imposta un ritmo invidiabile per tutta la durata del romanzo. Splendido il finale, in parte aperto ma speranzoso che, dopo tante pagine tragiche, mi ha fatto chiudere il libro con un sorriso.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual violence, Violence