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wellreadandhalfdead's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Xenophobia
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.0
tender and sad with a childlike yet wise narrative voice, funny boy is the coming-of-age of a main character marginalized by his queerness and ethnicity, while also offering an enlightening look into sri lankan history and society.
a sense of melancholy borne from bittersweet end of innocence or realization of stark reality permeates throughout all 6 of the novel's sizable, chunky chapters - each of which rly functions like short stories - and things only get more serious as the story goes on. as the narrator, arjie maintains a childlike yet strangely wise voice, and it's satisfying yet a lil sad to see him mature - or being forced to as a result of circumstances - through the events in his life, but his eventual acceptance and embrace of his identity is quite precious.
i learn so much about its sri lanka and its culture, society, politics and history through this book. things ive only previously known of in passing w/o any context or deeper understanding are shed greater light here through selvadurai's complex and nuanced portrayal through not only larger societal and historical events but also - perhaps to an even more impactful extent - the characters, their relationships, and how they grapple w/ their place in the world, which are explored in numerous aspects. while reading, i couldnt help but think how important historical novels are, for they render more serious or seemingly uninteresting subjects tangible and approachable, even human.
this is a revelatory, sad yet tender novel w/ a sense of inevitability and complex, nuanced portrayal of both its characters and the world they inhabit, and i look forward to reading more of the author's works.
a sense of melancholy borne from bittersweet end of innocence or realization of stark reality permeates throughout all 6 of the novel's sizable, chunky chapters - each of which rly functions like short stories - and things only get more serious as the story goes on. as the narrator, arjie maintains a childlike yet strangely wise voice, and it's satisfying yet a lil sad to see him mature - or being forced to as a result of circumstances - through the events in his life, but his eventual acceptance and embrace of his identity is quite precious.
i learn so much about its sri lanka and its culture, society, politics and history through this book. things ive only previously known of in passing w/o any context or deeper understanding are shed greater light here through selvadurai's complex and nuanced portrayal through not only larger societal and historical events but also - perhaps to an even more impactful extent - the characters, their relationships, and how they grapple w/ their place in the world, which are explored in numerous aspects. while reading, i couldnt help but think how important historical novels are, for they render more serious or seemingly uninteresting subjects tangible and approachable, even human.
this is a revelatory, sad yet tender novel w/ a sense of inevitability and complex, nuanced portrayal of both its characters and the world they inhabit, and i look forward to reading more of the author's works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child abuse, Violence, Racism, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Colonisation
tina94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Death, Racism, Homophobia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
unidentifiedflyingoddball's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Fatphobia and Murder
bridgetrose's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
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