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stevo1977's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A well-crafted, mildly heart-breaking tale. A bit of a slow start, but the character development really pays off and I ended up reading it in almost a single sitting. This is my first Lionel Shriver book and I am quite impressed; she packed so much character and insight into such a short novella.
I see others saying that the central question of the story is "can a man and a woman be 'just friends'?", and I have to say I strongly disagree with that reading. Certainly the issue is literally present in the story, but I think it's more about the social perceptions of Baba and Frisk and the rationalizations they make for their relationship choices.
I see others saying that the central question of the story is "can a man and a woman be 'just friends'?", and I have to say I strongly disagree with that reading. Certainly the issue is literally present in the story, but I think it's more about the social perceptions of Baba and Frisk and the rationalizations they make for their relationship choices.
nothingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
Really liked this little novella. I empathised with all the characters and the ending kind of took me by surprise and left me thinking.
The writing follows Lionel Shriver’s quite convoluted style but I found it worked really well in this short format, better than in her full length books (I’ve only read We need to talk about Kevin and Big Brother).
The writing follows Lionel Shriver’s quite convoluted style but I found it worked really well in this short format, better than in her full length books (I’ve only read We need to talk about Kevin and Big Brother).
veewillrockyou's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
onion's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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: Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Self harm, Alcohol, Bullying, and Sexual content
Minor: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
yasminmayat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachel_reads_by_night's review
3.0
Written well, uncomfortable and unsettling. The ending was in conclusive though.
chemi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amal_mir's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
art_and_bibliophilia's review against another edition
4.5
Lionel Shriver so eloquently analyses human behaviour and interpersonal dynamics in just under 130 pages, I read this little gem in one sitting. Every single sentence of this novella is brilliant. Shriver, in fine form, did not put a foot wrong.