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fresias's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Violence, and Murder
jasonmango's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
deanbaghdadi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
imsaneipromise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A book about a young gay boy growing up in the east end of Glasgow in the 90s was always going to be sad and difficult, because life was sad and difficult. It wasn't about writing something shocking and upsetting, it was about writing something real. Lots of people are saying the descriptions of violence were unnecessarily explicit, but isn't that one of the things that made you feel so deeply while you were reading it?
I'm of the opinion that some of the best books are ones that elicit visceral responses, because you can literally feel the impact being had on you. I cried while I read this book, and felt joy and heartbreak and despair and hope.
Aside from that, I read this book in two parts because life got in the way, and ended up spending a lot of time in Glasgow in between. It was pretty special to read a book that started off as pure fiction, then continued with being able to imagine the characters standing in those real life places where I'd also stood, or how the sun bounces off the tenements, or how the close stinks of piss.
and as a brutally honest book it stays true to itself to the very end.
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Abortion
frankieclc's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
bobinsbooknook's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal death, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Violence, and Murder
belanglos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia and Rape
caits_002's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abortion
moranguinhos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
andyparr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol