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meremeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm and Animal death
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
I might be late to the works of Max Porter but I went in for a deep dive and came up as a major fan of his imagination, his innovative structures, his fragmentary poetic style and special way with words, plus his ability to capture and portray so much in so few words. I listened and read simultaneously which let me appreciate these visually and aurally.
I began with Shy. It does an excellent job of taking you inside the head of a troubled teenage boy. You hear the voices in his head of his parents and teachers, those he has hurt as well as his own thoughts and feelings. It was so easy to identify with Shy as a hurting and confused boy who is suffering mentally and emotionally. But he’s a teen who gets verbally aggressive, emotionally abusive and physically violent, and that is much harder to empathise with and show grace towards. Youth violence is an issue that society really needs to grapple with. With Shy, Porter performs a valuable service, reminding us of the vulnerability and hurt that lies beneath many aggressive and violent facades.
I began with Shy. It does an excellent job of taking you inside the head of a troubled teenage boy. You hear the voices in his head of his parents and teachers, those he has hurt as well as his own thoughts and feelings. It was so easy to identify with Shy as a hurting and confused boy who is suffering mentally and emotionally. But he’s a teen who gets verbally aggressive, emotionally abusive and physically violent, and that is much harder to empathise with and show grace towards. Youth violence is an issue that society really needs to grapple with. With Shy, Porter performs a valuable service, reminding us of the vulnerability and hurt that lies beneath many aggressive and violent facades.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
katrinepoetry's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
An emotionally challenging read, however Porter's writing is flawless as always. Takes a little time to get used to the formatting, but it will click eventually.
As someone who had worked with students on the brink of being excluded from the educational system, this hit really hard. I could see aspects of my previous students so clearly in Shy.
Definitely an important and insightful piece of literature.
As someone who had worked with students on the brink of being excluded from the educational system, this hit really hard. I could see aspects of my previous students so clearly in Shy.
Definitely an important and insightful piece of literature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, and Sexual content
laurenvoice's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing style is not for me. However, the topic/theme of the book was interesting, and the way it was delivered was quite gripping.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Bullying
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Physical abuse, Confinement, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse
mt_gilley's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Max Porter's latest is, like Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, a story of emotional crisis told through short bursts of formally experimental prose. It is frequently affecting, and the way the different registers pile up is compelling and overwhelming, but it didn't hit me quite as hard as his past works. At times the character and event felt just a little contrived.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
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