Scan barcode
besta3's review against another edition
The writing is boring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Racism
loverofeels's review against another edition
somewhere in here there is a story i'd like to read about a girl learning to cope with the grief from her sister's death, but that story is obfuscated by the borderline-stalking teen romance that seems to be a given in any 2010s YA book about mental health. the novel opens with both characters on the verge of suicide—both quite literally standing on the edge of a roof, one more ready to jump than the other—but those suicidal tendencies vanish the second they step away from the ledge. thereafter, the narrative focuses less on violet and finch's mental health and more on their growing relationship. a number of finch's early actions toward violet toe the line for me, but the scene where he throws rocks at her window in the middle of the night and then sleeps outside her house was outright creepy and led me to put down the book entirely.
the other aspect of the book that stood out to me as truly terrible was the depiction of finch's best friend, charlie, who is written as a stereotypical hypersexual black man. he is introduced as thus:
the other aspect of the book that stood out to me as truly terrible was the depiction of finch's best friend, charlie, who is written as a stereotypical hypersexual black man. he is introduced as thus:
My best friend, Charlie Donahue, appears. Charlie is black. Not CW black, but black-black. He also gets laid more than anyone I know.
Some other things said about Charlie:
"We don't have much in common."
"He talks about the thing he most loves talking about other than himself—sex."
"According to Charlie, getting laid fixes everything."
"'And a sweet, sweet ass.' Charlie has joined us now.'"
Only actually read the first third of the book, but a quick search through the rest makes it seem he continues to do little but ask Finch if he's gotten laid yet and keep Violet company without actually talking or showing any personality. What a disgustingly racist characterization.
beyond that, there's a few sentences/tropes that annoy me immensely (fat girl character who hates all skinny girls, finch thinking "too many high school girls are built like boys," etc.) but considering the greater faults of this book and the fact that it was published in 2015 those are semi-negligible.
beyond that, there's a few sentences/tropes that annoy me immensely (fat girl character who hates all skinny girls, finch thinking "too many high school girls are built like boys," etc.) but considering the greater faults of this book and the fact that it was published in 2015 those are semi-negligible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Racism, Suicide attempt, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Fatphobia
mirandap442's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Self harm, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gaslighting, Animal death, Drug use, Alcohol, Blood, Racial slurs, and Racism
More...