vinreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Jesus Christ. At first I thought everyone was being dumb when they said the book was a bad representation of AIDS. All I was seeing was period typical Seraphobia, and then I got to the part where one character equated an incestuous relationship with homosexuality. I should've stopped when the FMC started saying she was in love with her uncle, but foolishly, I continued on. Their whole family dynamic was fucked up. And you're telling me that after falling in love with her uncle, she fell in love with his gay widow? His gay widow who stalked her, encouraged her to drive at the age of 14, gave her cigarettes and alcohol, and made many allusions to them being in a relationship together? 

Her mother was fucked up, making her brother keep his lover in the basement so she wouldn't have to see him, her sister treated her like she and it was alluded to that she was not only suicidal but sleeping with her drama teacher, and her father was just there. 

And in the end, there's an unnecessary death and a monologue about how much she loved (was in love with) her uncle and also her uncles widow. 

Go get therapy girl!! In fact, send your whole damn family to therapy!! 

I do not understand now this book is so highly accoladed. 

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readingbooksbcwhynot123's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was truly an...interesting book, is probably the right choice of words. I really did like it. I could barely let go of it, because it was so intriguing. A little disturbing and off putting, yes, but I read this book at 14 and I say that I could definitely relate to the mindset of a young person, especially since she was my age. Beautiful book, truly.

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