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jersson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
livid_by_any_other_name's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ekpk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.75
aubrey_page_101's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
caffeineaddict980's review against another edition
5.0
Zach is eighteen, bright and intelligent, but an alcoholic who is in rehab. However, he doesn't remember how he got there and he isn't sure that he wants to.
Wow.
Just wow.
What an emotionally moving novel with poignant prose.
Saenz is a brilliant writer and I absolutely love what I've read of his work so far!
Wow.
Just wow.
What an emotionally moving novel with poignant prose.
Saenz is a brilliant writer and I absolutely love what I've read of his work so far!
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
My coworker: Hey, this is a heavy book, don't read it before bed.
Me: Ooh, okay, gotcha.
Me, at 10 pm: /finishes the entire book
This was a book I didn't expect to absolutely love. It's filled with unfamiliar territory for me, such as boy main characters, rehabilitation centers, addiction. And yet the unfamiliar was made familiar the more that Zach dealt with and learned to understand his emotions. This is just a hugely touching, shocking, tormented, lovable book. How can it be all those things at once? I'm not sure, but it is.
In this rehabilitation center, there are other addictions that others face, there are roommates, counselors, therapists, friends. There's pain and sadness and anger, but there's also peace, adjustment, forgiveness. People leave when they feel ready. People leave because they don't feel ready. Hellos and goodbyes are equally heartbreaking. But oh, my god, will this book tear you apart. The first few chapters left me in a state of shock. The rest of the book had me sobbing in bed.
The slow reveal to Zach's past appeared to me to be incredibly well done--the not wanting to remember to finally being ready enough to confront the past, the reason why he was found drunk, passed out on the side of the road, why he's afraid to ever ask about his family, why some things make him dissociate. And the friends he makes along the way, Adam, Sharkey, and Rafael--RAFAEL, WE MUST TALK ABOUT HIM. I love him so, so much. Not all men--you're right, Rafael would NEVER. He is too sweet, caring, kind to ever let anything bad happen. I feel conflicted calling him a perfect man, given spoiler reasons, but he is truly one unforgettable character.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster is really something else. It's along the lines of It's Kind of a Funny Story by Vizzini, but with a much different tone. If you're looking for a book that will completely wreck you, this is it.
Review cross-listed here!
Me: Ooh, okay, gotcha.
Me, at 10 pm: /finishes the entire book
This was a book I didn't expect to absolutely love. It's filled with unfamiliar territory for me, such as boy main characters, rehabilitation centers, addiction. And yet the unfamiliar was made familiar the more that Zach dealt with and learned to understand his emotions. This is just a hugely touching, shocking, tormented, lovable book. How can it be all those things at once? I'm not sure, but it is.
In this rehabilitation center, there are other addictions that others face, there are roommates, counselors, therapists, friends. There's pain and sadness and anger, but there's also peace, adjustment, forgiveness. People leave when they feel ready. People leave because they don't feel ready. Hellos and goodbyes are equally heartbreaking. But oh, my god, will this book tear you apart. The first few chapters left me in a state of shock. The rest of the book had me sobbing in bed.
The slow reveal to Zach's past appeared to me to be incredibly well done--the not wanting to remember to finally being ready enough to confront the past, the reason why he was found drunk, passed out on the side of the road, why he's afraid to ever ask about his family, why some things make him dissociate. And the friends he makes along the way, Adam, Sharkey, and Rafael--RAFAEL, WE MUST TALK ABOUT HIM. I love him so, so much. Not all men--you're right, Rafael would NEVER. He is too sweet, caring, kind to ever let anything bad happen. I feel conflicted calling him a perfect man, given spoiler reasons, but he is truly one unforgettable character.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster is really something else. It's along the lines of It's Kind of a Funny Story by Vizzini, but with a much different tone. If you're looking for a book that will completely wreck you, this is it.
Review cross-listed here!
bellsb00ksandwritings's review against another edition
5.0
I am trying to find the right words to describe how much this book moved me, but I know I will never succeed.
What a beautiful story. It broke my heart into a million pieces, but at the same time it had the power to heal it in a way I hadn't thought possible.
This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads, not only of this year but in general as well. And even though I already knew it after reading Ari & Dante, Benjamin Alire Sáenz is now officially one of my favourite authors.
What a beautiful story. It broke my heart into a million pieces, but at the same time it had the power to heal it in a way I hadn't thought possible.
This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads, not only of this year but in general as well. And even though I already knew it after reading Ari & Dante, Benjamin Alire Sáenz is now officially one of my favourite authors.