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the_literarylinguist's review against another edition
Writing style is very gritty realism, not for me
natalieba's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Drug abuse
Moderate: Violence
laurarm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
An interesting book that was hard to read… In the beginning I really didn’t like the bits about Henry’s past but about midway through it started to make sense. A lot of Henry’s anger and problems seemed to stem from his childhood trauma of losing his mum. It was devastating to see how a few bad decisions lead into such a downward spiral. Although this is not to say that there might not be hope for the characters after all.
I don’t think the book simply blames society for Henry’s misery. I felt like the book also highlighted the importance of individual decision making and the consequences of failure to do so. The book is a whirlwind of American misery: health insurance, young parents, no social system, addiction, the justice system, drugs and violence. Nothing of this was exactly new information but to see everything intertwined was heart breaking non the less. While Henry starts of in a fairly good position (at least his parents are highly educated) his life spirals out of control. The people who face disaster meet up and further bring each other down. This is noticeable with both Henry and Michelle but also Al. The book for me highlighted the importance of having not only a financial safety net but also a social safety net. If you are at risk and meet the wrong people you easily turn into a wrong person for someone else.
Of course money is a big topic in the book, although I expected it to play an even bigger role. In the Flashbacks there are some times where money isn’t that much money of an issue, which for me limited the effects of when it was actually life or death…
At first I found the language to be quite complicated and unnecessarily artsy. It was one of the few books where I probably would have preferred a translation. After a while though, you get used to the style.
The ending for me was a bit abrupt.
I don’t think the book simply blames society for Henry’s misery. I felt like the book also highlighted the importance of individual decision making and the consequences of failure to do so. The book is a whirlwind of American misery: health insurance, young parents, no social system, addiction, the justice system, drugs and violence. Nothing of this was exactly new information but to see everything intertwined was heart breaking non the less. While Henry starts of in a fairly good position (at least his parents are highly educated) his life spirals out of control. The people who face disaster meet up and further bring each other down. This is noticeable with both Henry and Michelle but also Al. The book for me highlighted the importance of having not only a financial safety net but also a social safety net. If you are at risk and meet the wrong people you easily turn into a wrong person for someone else.
Of course money is a big topic in the book, although I expected it to play an even bigger role. In the Flashbacks there are some times where money isn’t that much money of an issue, which for me limited the effects of when it was actually life or death…
At first I found the language to be quite complicated and unnecessarily artsy. It was one of the few books where I probably would have preferred a translation. After a while though, you get used to the style.
The ending for me was a bit abrupt.
reasie's review against another edition
5.0
It's a well-written book that captures real people in mundane situations and makes it all real. That said it is not enjoyable to read. I had a hard time, had to put it away and yell at it a couple times because I knew in my heart of hearts this was not going to have a happy ending, that things were just going to get worse and worse ...
The ending, not to spoil it, does lift the spirits a tiny bit, though just so the knife sinks in deeper. I respect the craft. I just hate stories where the biggest problem is people not speaking to each other, the beauty inside Henry's mind never makes it past his lips.
The ending, not to spoil it, does lift the spirits a tiny bit, though just so the knife sinks in deeper. I respect the craft. I just hate stories where the biggest problem is people not speaking to each other, the beauty inside Henry's mind never makes it past his lips.
jannyslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
In this book, each chapter heading tracks the amount of money in the main characters pocket. An interesting device, especially when the first page gives you the list of amounts. It lead me to be more invested to the rise and fall of each dollar.
This book is really depressing. Poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, trauma etc
The reason why I didn't enjoy it that much wasn't the subject matter, but the split timelines. I think it's hard to do and really killed the tension building for me. I like a good metaphor as much as the next guy, here it was a bit much and slowed down the pacing imo.
This book is really depressing. Poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, trauma etc
The reason why I didn't enjoy it that much wasn't the subject matter, but the split timelines. I think it's hard to do and really killed the tension building for me. I like a good metaphor as much as the next guy, here it was a bit much and slowed down the pacing imo.
schafer_michael's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Henry is a tragic character. In an effort to protect his family, circumstances force him to make bad choice after bad choice. All the while, it seems like his plight could have been entirely avoided if but for the help of a friend.
eeharford's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cultureandthecity's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
liaautumn's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0