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readwithsophsx's review
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Addiction, Suicide, and Sexual assault
withlovejeans's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i’m combusting. IM COMBUSTING!!!!!!! i have been eager to read this book ever since its release was announced and i realized that my library did not have a copy. the book is a love story, told backwards; it starts after the breakup and traces the relationship all the way to their first meeting. i was at first curious to find out how the time jumps would be acknowledged, and was confused on the timeline during the first few chapters, but realized that hayes foreshadowed each next chapter cleverly. i really liked how i knew so much about the relationship yet so little about the people from the start. by the time i reached the end of the novel, i knew more about both characters than they knew about each other, yet all i could do is bite my lip and let things happen. all at once reflective, edifying, and truthful, “out of love” illustrates the natural demise of the modern relationship.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Sexual violence
kaatelin's review
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit
sara_m_martins's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(PS. i could write a book about this book, but i'm not sure i have the words)
Okay firstly, Hazel is one of my favourite creators - as in TOP 3 favourites; she might even have that #1 spot to be completely honest. i think about something of hers almost everyday - i adore Septem and i think about TOTM August every time i'm not feeling great. I used a otter bookmark too, which i recommend for maximum enjoyment.
Her personality shines through her work, and Out of Love was no exception - rather, you can see so much more of the range of her persona in a single art work - from her humor to how she handles heavier, sensitive topics (mental health, domestic abuse and abusive/toxic relationships - #ownvoices). And OOL balances these perfectly.
I was so enthralled by this book that i read it the whole way through a first time, only to finish and start a re-read right after - this time taking time to underline (pretty much everything) and trying to catch all the cross-references. I feel there's so much thought behind each word and so many connections (with chapters before and/or after) - due to both her writing and the story being told from finish to start - that i'm not smart enough to catch.
I really enjoy her writing - you can feel the backdrop of film making in it. One of the moments this jumps out the most in my memory is the final scene of the Summer Skin chapter.
WHICH SPEAKING OF - i broke down in tears finishing that chapter at 3AM, and went into all my social media bios and removed "bi" from them, leaving just the rainbow flag, as i entered a process that is still ongoing (this had been building up, but Hazel's words clicked the button to open the floodgates). Which is pretty ironic considering that Hazel is bisexual herself. I cannot express what that final scene did for me. But it was literally life-changing.
Summer Skin and Canadian Geese (i too am a daughter to a mom of 3, with absent fathers) are chapters that i see myself going back to over and over again
Surely, i should talk more about the relationship aspect of the book, you know the central plot line... But there's so much to read and think about with this book. I didn't even touch on all the great topics revolving around feminism on this book which are SO MANY and SO WELL DONE and so relatable (to me at least - like the motherhood bit!!! holy shit). And this is already so long. But, you know, it's not even about the relationship per say, is it- the relationship is just the conductive line though which we see the character's life unfolding (backwards. folding? idk).
It encapsulates the whole human experience because that's what life is - you are living and there's always so much happening and it's all so hard and complicated, but also strange and curious and interesting - and Hazel took it all and put it in words and made funny or made it heartbreaking and even a little bit of both and isn't that such a magnificent feat.
I think that's why I love this book so much: it has Life in it.
Okay firstly, Hazel is one of my favourite creators - as in TOP 3 favourites; she might even have that #1 spot to be completely honest. i think about something of hers almost everyday - i adore Septem and i think about TOTM August every time i'm not feeling great. I used a otter bookmark too, which i recommend for maximum enjoyment.
Her personality shines through her work, and Out of Love was no exception - rather, you can see so much more of the range of her persona in a single art work - from her humor to how she handles heavier, sensitive topics (mental health, domestic abuse and abusive/toxic relationships - #ownvoices). And OOL balances these perfectly.
I was so enthralled by this book that i read it the whole way through a first time, only to finish and start a re-read right after - this time taking time to underline (pretty much everything) and trying to catch all the cross-references. I feel there's so much thought behind each word and so many connections (with chapters before and/or after) - due to both her writing and the story being told from finish to start - that i'm not smart enough to catch.
I really enjoy her writing - you can feel the backdrop of film making in it. One of the moments this jumps out the most in my memory is the final scene of the Summer Skin chapter.
WHICH SPEAKING OF - i broke down in tears finishing that chapter at 3AM, and went into all my social media bios and removed "bi" from them, leaving just the rainbow flag, as i entered a process that is still ongoing (this had been building up, but Hazel's words clicked the button to open the floodgates). Which is pretty ironic considering that Hazel is bisexual herself. I cannot express what that final scene did for me. But it was literally life-changing.
Summer Skin and Canadian Geese (i too am a daughter to a mom of 3, with absent fathers) are chapters that i see myself going back to over and over again
Surely, i should talk more about the relationship aspect of the book, you know the central plot line... But there's so much to read and think about with this book. I didn't even touch on all the great topics revolving around feminism on this book which are SO MANY and SO WELL DONE and so relatable (to me at least - like the motherhood bit!!! holy shit). And this is already so long. But, you know, it's not even about the relationship per say, is it- the relationship is just the conductive line though which we see the character's life unfolding (backwards. folding? idk).
It encapsulates the whole human experience because that's what life is - you are living and there's always so much happening and it's all so hard and complicated, but also strange and curious and interesting - and Hazel took it all and put it in words and made funny or made it heartbreaking and even a little bit of both and isn't that such a magnificent feat.
I think that's why I love this book so much: it has Life in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, and Addiction
lucyduller's review
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Sexual content
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