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mrbluesky's review against another edition
3.0
the language is very poetic, but like, weirdly platitudinous. the story was pretty affecting at points but the narrator was just so unlikable for me
uguu's review against another edition
3.0
There were times when I thought I might not finish this book as some of the sections felt like they hardly related to the main story. I wonder if those were added on when turning the story from a novella to a novel? However, I'm glad I finished, as eventually the book had a hold on me again.
annauq's review against another edition
4.0
HELL YEAH HELL YEAH literary fiction about gays that is sad but doesn't make you (or them) want to die!!!
Honestly though this is just such a good meditation on The Western Gay Male Experience™. It's melancholic more than sad, and examines rather than assumes the fatalism so often present in queer narratives. Ugh it's just so good.
Honestly though this is just such a good meditation on The Western Gay Male Experience™. It's melancholic more than sad, and examines rather than assumes the fatalism so often present in queer narratives. Ugh it's just so good.
sakeriver's review against another edition
This reminds me somewhat of Ishiguro, which I mean as a compliment since Ishiguro is one of my favorites. It is close throughout, intimate, yet somehow also reserved, though that reserve lies atop deep and complex and passionate emotion. In Ishiguro, that reserve feels very Japanese to me. Here, I’m not sure what it feels like, but it is beautiful and perhaps familiar still. Quite a remarkable novel, I think.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 of 5. Gorgeous and devastating. (But could I have a few paragraph breaks please?
simplyfrancois's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, touching and thought-provoking story.
Must read
Must read
onverstrokke_ek's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
greatcolorsalad's review against another edition
5.0
This book is light on plot and focuses more on introspection instead, mainly the feelings of desire and the shame that many LGBTQ+ people experience simultaneously, and it's so beautifully written.
I can't put it into words how important this book is for me as a queer Bulgarian.
I can't put it into words how important this book is for me as a queer Bulgarian.