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emotional
inspiring
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
I wanted more to be done for neil SO badly as someone who relates to his character the most, and think the heart wrenching experience tipped my rating higher than it should be given my aforementioned criticisms. Neil’s story of wanting freedom from familial pressure, and finding safety in friends and the arts, is some classic queer coding (not to mention todd’s role). He’s put in a bind between conformity and self expression that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I SEE him on many levels, and I believe the crushing emotions his character and robin williams as mr. keating were able to portray are outweighing the damage of knox and charlie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Cultural appropriation
emotional
inspiring
sad
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 death, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Alcohol
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I gave this book 1.5⭐️s.
Let’s start with what I liked about the book. I liked the lyricism of the poetry and I like that the text paid homage to so many famous novels and authors. I also liked Mr. Keating though his attitude was often unrealistic and in the clouds.
Now what I didn’t like. I didn’t appreciate how the author referenced rape as a plot point but never touched on it or made the character who witnessed it reflect on what he say. Also let me just say I hate Onex so much and it downs tmake sense how Chris was forgiving and making out with him after how he violated her and her relationship. I also thought that Charlie was completely obnoxious and poorly characterized. The only character I actually liked was Neil because he was complex and interesting but this was contrasted by the complete lack of empathy and common sense from his friends and Mr. Keating cause when was the advice just tell the truth ever useful and helpful when you are having a mental breakdown? Overall wouldn’t recommend this book and wouldn’t read it again. :(
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Minor: Blood, Vomit
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Stalking
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Vomit, Grief, Gaslighting
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really dislike reading about boys obsessing over girls and their looks, but this book is still fantastic! (how could it not be, when based on such a fantastic movie?). I wanted to sob, but I was really tired (sobbed in spirit).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Grief
Minor: Blood, Vomit
emotional
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:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Complicated
The movie was certainly better.
Better thought out and with scenes that really hit. I still got some enjoyment out of reading this book, but the movie was just so much more emotional. The characters more loveable.
And there were some weird scenes written in here to be honest. Like the part with Knox and Chris and the scene where Keating shows questionable photos to some teenage boys. The movie came first and had some great scenes that weren't put in the book but they added these weird and uncomfortable ones??? Like, just no.
Better thought out and with scenes that really hit. I still got some enjoyment out of reading this book, but the movie was just so much more emotional. The characters more loveable.
And there were some weird scenes written in here to be honest. Like the part with Knox and Chris and the scene where Keating shows questionable photos to some teenage boys. The movie came first and had some great scenes that weren't put in the book but they added these weird and uncomfortable ones??? Like, just no.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Grief, Stalking, Sexual harassment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Alcohol
emotional
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 book was based on the film, which I loved.
However it wasn't well written, I only felt the emotions when I remembered how it looked like in the film.
When I saw Neil smile, I thought that his smile lit up the whole room etc., but in the book it just said he smiled. The chemistry between the characters was missing too.
It should have been way longer, telling us details and everything.
And to add, some if my favourite scenes were missing, like what?
However it wasn't well written, I only felt the emotions when I remembered how it looked like in the film.
When I saw Neil smile, I thought that his smile lit up the whole room etc., but in the book it just said he smiled. The chemistry between the characters was missing too.
It should have been way longer, telling us details and everything.
And to add, some if my favourite scenes were missing, like what?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol