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stevia333k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Let's open with there's a ton of racism in this book, and there's this weird connection to capitalism that even though they're boho's they're still embracing as a weird sort of liberation? And then, the patriarchy isn't so much present except to say if antisemites see Christianity as with God & jews/muslims etc to be so-called satanists in order to have a perfectionism of God & the evil, then the people in this book aren't militant in decentering heterosexism's vision of their community. And then the matchmaking part at the end, like I appreciate the support that went into that but it's patriarchy war raping you at both sides.
People didn't understand the economics of gentrification yet, and how that ties to colonialism to say the least. (Which is important because the coexistences with "actually existing socialism" & the people pushed out of the normative communities will get targeted.)
I didn't live in that era so IDK how much actually pans out. IDK how much of this is me being born after the onset of the genocide against lgbt+ people & AIDS patients. IDK how much of this is the self censorship the opening & closing talks about.
This book speaks to a lot of traumas I had. Like the house I grew up in was basically stuck in the 1970's & the 1940's. To say the least, this sort of gay ghetto I thought was my only place to go & I think my family thought the same, but I'm too much of a woman & I'm not conventionally hot enough to go for it. I mean I like performing, but my trans body doesn't have a marketing niche where I can go & sell my aesthetic.
OMG this book talks a lot about aesthetics!
Fungibility kills. Not knowing the difference between what was designed by fellow humans & what wasn't, traps. Like it was something city planners were learning: skinfolk ain't kinfolk & relationships aren't fungible. So being like every lay is the same, it's toxic.
Dating & eros are exclusivity to say the least, so trying to make that into a democracy doesn't work. Trying to do love bilaterally doesn't work. This book talked a lot about drugs & suicide, and also the medical model of disability as opposed to the social model or the money model.
The sex work scenes Malone did reminded me of how people use porn & smut writing.
IDK how much of this book is talking about "The Great Gatsby" because thank God I've never read that book
The matchmaking in order to flee because no resumé... Feels tragic.
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Body shaming, Death, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Excrement, Violence, Drug abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Confinement, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicide, Vomit, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Body horror, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Gun violence
kaaitlinwong's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Physical abuse