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2.98 AVERAGE
2.98 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just so meh. It wanted to be so much more than it was. I got the premise right away, the plots were obvious, basic, and over all uninteresting....
First five star book of 2020, and boy did I enjoy this. Surreal, relatable, raw, and honest, Bobby Hall AKA Bobby Tarantino AKA Logic is quickly becoming one of my favorite creators in the mold of Donald Glover, Watsky, etc who just seem to be able to put out relatable media that can be consumed in so many different ways.
This book perfectly captures the reality of living a life you're not quite sure is totally real - and how to deal with all of the self-doubt that quotidian life flings in your face. Out of body experiences, talking to yourself, convincing yourself that this crazy wild thing you're experiencing is totally normal and to be expected - and how to stay sane through it all (or not).
I didn't realize this was Logic/Hall's book until I got about a 1/3 of the way through it, and it did shape how I viewed the story - Hall has been a longtime advocate of male mental health and anxiety in a time where the perception of mental health in hip-hop (his first profession) is slowly becoming destigmatized. Writing a book about it helps spread the message to a broader audience, even if the consequences in the book leave the reader dazed at the end.
It's not a perfectly written story (writing style is pretty basic to be honest, and that's with me listening to it rather than reading it), and it's not a happy one either. Yet that's what makes this book so compelling - the imperfections illustrate Hall's point more authentically. Would re-read again in a heartbeat.
This book perfectly captures the reality of living a life you're not quite sure is totally real - and how to deal with all of the self-doubt that quotidian life flings in your face. Out of body experiences, talking to yourself, convincing yourself that this crazy wild thing you're experiencing is totally normal and to be expected - and how to stay sane through it all (or not).
I didn't realize this was Logic/Hall's book until I got about a 1/3 of the way through it, and it did shape how I viewed the story - Hall has been a longtime advocate of male mental health and anxiety in a time where the perception of mental health in hip-hop (his first profession) is slowly becoming destigmatized. Writing a book about it helps spread the message to a broader audience, even if the consequences in the book leave the reader dazed at the end.
It's not a perfectly written story (writing style is pretty basic to be honest, and that's with me listening to it rather than reading it), and it's not a happy one either. Yet that's what makes this book so compelling - the imperfections illustrate Hall's point more authentically. Would re-read again in a heartbeat.
The story was a good idea - but that's because it's a cross between Fight Club and Shutter Island.
The writing, and grammar in particular, was poor, but I did enjoy reading it.
Three stars is being kind, but I'm a person incapable of giving something a really low star rating.
The writing, and grammar in particular, was poor, but I did enjoy reading it.
Three stars is being kind, but I'm a person incapable of giving something a really low star rating.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Disappointing ending.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To echo the same sentiment you'll find across most other reviews: the writing is simplistic, somewhat juvenile in sentence structure, reads like a high school essay, and features many offensive racial stereotypes and caricatures.
I was excited to read a story featuring a strong mental health plotline from a different perspective, but was left extremely disappointed with the author's choice to promote outdated rhetoric (e.g. the "psych ward" being a negative place, the protagonist being firmly anti-medication and lied about taking prescribed meds, the words "crazy" and "insane" being used as legitimate ways to describe mental health symptoms, etc.).
I think the line that stuck with me was at the very end, when the author writes that essentially all the protagonist needed to see clearly was aself-inflicted devastating hit to the head to "reset and balance out the chemicals in his brain making him schizophrenic" (paraphrased).
I was excited to read a story featuring a strong mental health plotline from a different perspective, but was left extremely disappointed with the author's choice to promote outdated rhetoric (e.g. the "psych ward" being a negative place, the protagonist being firmly anti-medication and lied about taking prescribed meds, the words "crazy" and "insane" being used as legitimate ways to describe mental health symptoms, etc.).
I think the line that stuck with me was at the very end, when the author writes that essentially all the protagonist needed to see clearly was a
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Gaslighting
I just can’t do it. I’ve skimmed most of it, it just isn’t capturing me. Branko said it took him a while to get into, but then couldn’t put it down…I just don’t think I’m getting there.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes