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binreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Let me preface this by saying, I did pick this book up so I could read before the movie came out because of my boy Harry.
This book is complicated for me, with characters who are extremely complicated. It's a very sad and tragic story. It's hard for me to completely like or dislike any of them. They all have their strengths and huge flaws. I finished the book and thought "...that's it? that's how it ends?"
I hurt for both Marion and Patrick. I actually really disliked Tom. For using Marion, who is seemingly was so blinded by love she would do anything for Tom, even when he didn't deserve it. And for not allowing himself to be true to himself, and be fully with Patrick.
I almost wonder if that's the exact reason he chose to marry her. He knew she was in love with him. Maybe he always knew, sensing her infatuation in their younger years. It wasn't fair to anyone involved. He loved Marion platonically but he should've at least tried to show he cared for her. He must've to some extent if he married her? Cut to the part where he finds out Patrick has been arrested and he has the nerve to break down to her. He never had the courage to tell her his true feelings, and yet I guess he suspected she knew? I hate how he gaslit her anytime she stuck up for herself. It was so infuriating. He was way too concerned with the proper way of doing things, his job and reputation and not the people in his life.
I think they were all pretty selfish in different ways. Patrick, for being the 3rd wheel in their marriage, full well knowing here's a woman who genuinely loves her husband and here you are having a secret relationship. Marion, for not leaving Tom and allowing herself to move on - instead writing the dreaded letter that ruins everything and hurts everyone. That was unforgivable. I'll never understand why she couldn't work it out with Tom or just leave him. And Tom, for unfortunately using both people for his own needs.
Heck! Tom should've married Julia then it could've been a Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo kinda situation. An understanding between them all to love whom they wanted in private. I sensed she was also queer and even rooted for Marion to have feelings for her.
I am really excited for the movie because I think it will portray Tom and Patrick's relationship better on screen. That's the one thing that confused me is I didn't expect this to be so much of Marion. I wish we got to see more from Patrick.
This book is complicated for me, with characters who are extremely complicated. It's a very sad and tragic story. It's hard for me to completely like or dislike any of them. They all have their strengths and huge flaws. I finished the book and thought "...that's it? that's how it ends?"
I almost wonder if that's the exact reason he chose to marry her. He knew she was in love with him. Maybe he always knew, sensing her infatuation in their younger years. It wasn't fair to anyone involved. He loved Marion platonically but he should've at least tried to show he cared for her. He must've to some extent if he married her? Cut to the part where he finds out Patrick has been arrested and he has the nerve to break down to her. He never had the courage to tell her his true feelings, and yet I guess he suspected she knew? I hate how he gaslit her anytime she stuck up for herself. It was so infuriating. He was way too concerned with the proper way of doing things, his job and reputation and not the people in his life.
I think they were all pretty selfish in different ways. Patrick, for being the 3rd wheel in their marriage, full well knowing here's a woman who genuinely loves her husband and here you are having a secret relationship. Marion, for not leaving Tom and allowing herself to move on - instead writing the dreaded letter that ruins everything and hurts everyone. That was unforgivable. I'll never understand why she couldn't work it out with Tom or just leave him. And Tom, for unfortunately using both people for his own needs.
Heck! Tom should've married Julia then it could've been a Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo kinda situation. An understanding between them all to love whom they wanted in private. I sensed she was also queer and even rooted for Marion to have feelings for her.
I am really excited for the movie because I think it will portray Tom and Patrick's relationship better on screen. That's the one thing that confused me is I didn't expect this to be so much of Marion. I wish we got to see more from Patrick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Outing, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Suicide
msennflinn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don't know how to feel about this one, but it's not a good feeling. I knew going into it that this book was not written from a queer perspective, as in the author is a cisgender, straight woman. I went for it anyway, to see what all the hullabaloo was about. While the writing is done well, the actual story sucks. A cis, straight woman writing a tragedy about two queer men and one horrible, awful woman does not stand the test of time. Plenty of other people on here have said it better, but the lack of an OWN voice is on full display in this book. I fear that many people are flocking to this book ten years after its publishing date (and I suppose because it wasn't on US shelves until 2021) because of the movie, starring Harry Styles. While I can appreciate people finding and reading a book after it's been optioned for or made into a movie, the high marks people are giving this one is shocking.
Non-queer authors: please stop writing about queer characters in this way. Better yet, leave it to LGBTQ+ folks to tell these stories.
Non-queer authors: please stop writing about queer characters in this way. Better yet, leave it to LGBTQ+ folks to tell these stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing
Minor: Death and Suicide
itsocchiolism's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
***** FULL OF SPOILERS****
Nothing is black and white in this book. Not a choice and not a relationship or dynamic between anyone. Everything is just complicated and painful for everyone.
Nothing is black and white in this book. Not a choice and not a relationship or dynamic between anyone. Everything is just complicated and painful for everyone.
It’s not “you hurt me and I hate you” , it’s more “you hurt me & I understand why you did it, but I still have a right to feel betrayed and angry. And I love you and I don’t know how to stop doing that, how to leave or how to fix this”
It’s “I know that you wish that I was braver, and that you tolerate the crumbs of love I give you, but I’m scared. And I know you deserve better but I’m here and I hope you can share me”
It’s “I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep you in my life, even if it means becoming close with someone & using her for our advantage. I don’t want to hurt her, nothing of this is her fault, I don’t wanna ruin her pride but at the same time I will do anything to be with you”
These characters felt so human. They are selfless and selfish, they are kind and ruthless, they are loyal and not. All at once.
Marion made a terrible choice when she decided to send that letter, if she would’ve known how dangerous the situation was she would’ve never done it because she didn’t want to risk putting Tom in danger. She knew how much Patrick meant to Tom, and she knew that hurting Patrick would hurt her husband as well. I found myself very frustrated with her in several parts of the book, but I think it’s just encompassing the bigger theme that is a woman’s place in society. At the time Marion admitted that she wouldn’t know how to leave Tom. It’s only at the end that she realizes that leaving is the only thing that she can do. That she has lost so much time, and she’s been a fool, and she can do it on her own- she can leave. She finds that self respect that she should’ve so much earlier on. But only after taking care of Patrick and doing everything that she can to forgive herself and earn their forgiveness. While at the same time letting them be happy by removing herself from the equation, and hoping that they can be alone together at the end.
It’s upsetting to me to see everybody bashing Marion so ruthlessly. Yes she did an awful, terrible and maybe even unforgivable thing, but where is the empathy for this woman, who is suffering the betrayal of her life? Try to put yourself in her shoes. You married the presumed love of your life and you become friends with his friend only to find out years later that your husband is actually gay, doesn’t romantically love you, and is definitely having an affair with his friend. Someone you have dined with, and gone to the theater with, & and on vacation and has been a huge part of your life for years. And not ever receiving an apology from either one of them.
Patrick and Tom are not guilt free, they are not innocent. they both took advantage of Marion. Tom by marrying her so he would be in a good societal standard, all while having a secret life and a love affair with the man he really loved. And Patrick also took advantage of Marion & in the security that she brought to his relationship with Tom.
I would say that ultimately it’s society‘s fault for the way that they misstreated queer people back then. That Patrick and Tom did what they could to do to stay together and to keep that sliver of happiness that they found with each other. And that Marion was just trying to save her marriage.
it’s no one‘s fault which makes this story so tragic.
I like to think that if it could’ve been avoided, Tom would have never married Marion. That him and Patrick would’ve been happy together and Marion would’ve moved on from her little crush on Tom and she would have found a husband that was fitting for her and it all would’ve worked out. but that’s in a perfect society, which is not the case here. so again I will reiterate that even though they all made mistakes they were doing what they thought was best.
I do wish we would have seen Tom’s perspective, I inferred as much as i could about his character, but it was a bit hard because we only saw him through the eyes of two people that were deeply in love with him. I think we don’t really get to know the character at all, it was more of an image of how his lover and his wife perceived him.
All the characters made terrible choices, they all had their reasons, their motives, and I can see each of their sides and stories. I think it was a beautifully told story, I loved the writing, the imagery, the feelings that it evoked in me. I felt protectiveness over them all in spite of everything, I wanted them all to be happy and find joy and peace with themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Pregnancy
apiora215's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual content
jazzy_t's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
I did enjoyed the read of this book. And the time period I haven't read about in this context so was informative too.
I disliked Marion coming to the end of the book but some of this was wanted by the author. However by the end I was finding it difficult to connect anymore to her character. I saw someone else's review that commented on the same thoughts as me about the difficulty understanding the intent of the author and feeling like they wanted you to simiphise with Marion.
I also at the start didn't realise it was written from a point of view so took me a second to work that out!
It was a good read like I said, and I enjoyed my experience reading it however its not a new favourite.
I disliked Marion coming to the end of the book but some of this was wanted by the author. However by the end I was finding it difficult to connect anymore to her character. I saw someone else's review that commented on the same thoughts as me about the difficulty understanding the intent of the author and feeling like they wanted you to simiphise with Marion.
I also at the start didn't realise it was written from a point of view so took me a second to work that out!
It was a good read like I said, and I enjoyed my experience reading it however its not a new favourite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
alittlelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Outing
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
ricardo_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Violence
aaround132's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Yes, Harry Styles made me read this. I will not be taking critiques at this time.
This book tells the story of Marion, Tom, & Patrick. Tom is a young police officer that Patrick and Marion are both in love with - she as his wife, and he, as his lover in a time where it was illegal to be gay in the UK. The tale unravels from Marion and Patrick's perspectives in dual timelines and as the reader you come to see that no one in this book is an innocent - they each have their pain and they each inflict pain on each other in different ways, and it's often extremely sad to read, but the humanity and messiness of these characters are what made this book so readable and engaging to me, so that was the main thing I liked about it. The writing, too, I thought was gorgeous.
Some issues I had - I don't mind an age gap in a relationship as long as it's ethical as well as legal. Tom and Patrick's age gap itself didn't bother me, but I often felt a little grossed out by the way Patrick was always referencing Tom's youth, his boyishness. It felt....eeeehhh, weird. Didn't love that.
Other than that, I just have this feeling that there was something missing for me during this book. I can't figure out what it was exactly, and if I figure it out, I'll gladly post an update, but whatever it was, it left me feeling that I couldn't give this above a 3 even though I did enjoy it for the most part.
This book tells the story of Marion, Tom, & Patrick. Tom is a young police officer that Patrick and Marion are both in love with - she as his wife, and he, as his lover in a time where it was illegal to be gay in the UK. The tale unravels from Marion and Patrick's perspectives in dual timelines and as the reader you come to see that no one in this book is an innocent - they each have their pain and they each inflict pain on each other in different ways, and it's often extremely sad to read, but the humanity and messiness of these characters are what made this book so readable and engaging to me, so that was the main thing I liked about it. The writing, too, I thought was gorgeous.
Some issues I had - I don't mind an age gap in a relationship as long as it's ethical as well as legal. Tom and Patrick's age gap itself didn't bother me, but I often felt a little grossed out by the way Patrick was always referencing Tom's youth, his boyishness. It felt....eeeehhh, weird. Didn't love that.
Other than that, I just have this feeling that there was something missing for me during this book. I can't figure out what it was exactly, and if I figure it out, I'll gladly post an update, but whatever it was, it left me feeling that I couldn't give this above a 3 even though I did enjoy it for the most part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Hate crime, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Violence, Ableism, Outing, and Confinement
Moderate: Pregnancy and Racism
Minor: Fatphobia, Transphobia, Suicide, Child abuse, Vomit, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent
mallory10100's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
i enjoyed this. i wish we got Tom’s perspective and less of Marion’s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Cursing, Terminal illness, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Abandonment, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Bullying, Transphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Dementia, Confinement, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Violence, Miscarriage, and War
can’t wait for the movie to come out!!