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jlllzz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
carolyn0613's review
5.0
This is a retelling of Ovid's Metamorphosis myth and although I am unfamiliar with this myth, I very much enjoyed this tale. It is a short book but is written beautifully. I haven't ready any of Ali Smith's other work but I will be looking out for it. A fascinating story and great strong female characters
whataliciaisreading's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
‘It’s yours, she said. I mean, it’s on the end of my arm but it’s yours. So’s the arm. So’s the shoulder. So’s everything else it’s connected to.’
Ali Smith’s ‘Girl meets boy’ is a re-mix of one of Ovid’s metamorphisis stories, but it doesn’t take the content as head on as other modern myth reimaginings. Rather, it uses myth as a springboard from which to bounce ideas of gender, identity, and love.
This is the 8th book I’ve read by Ali Smith, and also the earliest work I’ve read of hers, and reading it felt so familiar. Her style is so established and personal, it’s hard not to read every line in her voice. It’s far from my favourite of her works, but I had a really pleasant time reading this.
It was published as part of The Myths series featuring other writers like Margaret Atwood and AS Byatt, and I think it shows that this text is almost a writing exercise for Smith, responding to a fairly specific brief. Yet, it still shines with all the charm of Smith’s humour and punchy prose.
It features a sister dynamic that will remind readers of Fleabag and Claire, a politicial heart that reappears in many of Smith’s works, and a queer love story that is beautiful in its simplicity.
Ali Smith’s ‘Girl meets boy’ is a re-mix of one of Ovid’s metamorphisis stories, but it doesn’t take the content as head on as other modern myth reimaginings. Rather, it uses myth as a springboard from which to bounce ideas of gender, identity, and love.
This is the 8th book I’ve read by Ali Smith, and also the earliest work I’ve read of hers, and reading it felt so familiar. Her style is so established and personal, it’s hard not to read every line in her voice. It’s far from my favourite of her works, but I had a really pleasant time reading this.
It was published as part of The Myths series featuring other writers like Margaret Atwood and AS Byatt, and I think it shows that this text is almost a writing exercise for Smith, responding to a fairly specific brief. Yet, it still shines with all the charm of Smith’s humour and punchy prose.
It features a sister dynamic that will remind readers of Fleabag and Claire, a politicial heart that reappears in many of Smith’s works, and a queer love story that is beautiful in its simplicity.
tessabwmn's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
millemoses's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
arhuby's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
toniherrero's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.0
Noia troba noi no és per mi, sense cap mena de dubte, no he entrat en cap moment a la història. Aquest optimisme exacerbat, tots els mots fulgurants, les frases que semblen eslògans d'una campanya orquestrada per la mateixa Pure... Els rapats de Pure són uns passerells menyspreables que només busquen captar l'atenció d'en Keith i satisfer el propi ego, això ens queda clar, però no tot és negre absolut ni blanc resplendent; a la vida hi ha centenars, milers de tonalitats de gris, però aquí tan sols hi trobem els dos extrems. L'Imogen i l'Anthea són tan poc versemblants com els clixés que les defineixen i les fan lliures. En Paul és molt bo al llit. (Gràcies a Déu.) Quina estocada final més llastimosa. A partir d'aquí, gairebé he llegit en diagonal.
A Ali Smith li valoro l'experimentació formal, aquest estil que suposo —no he llegit res més d'ella— és el seu segell personal, però tampoc hi he entrat. No m'ha convençut, no és el meu estil. El que sí que li agraeixo a l'autora és la brevetat. Si no fos per això, segur que hauria abandonat.
A Ali Smith li valoro l'experimentació formal, aquest estil que suposo —no he llegit res més d'ella— és el seu segell personal, però tampoc hi he entrat. No m'ha convençut, no és el meu estil. El que sí que li agraeixo a l'autora és la brevetat. Si no fos per això, segur que hauria abandonat.
okierika's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This story has one of the best non-binary lesbian scenes I have ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Outing