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applesodaperson's review
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
Despite this book being pretty popular online, I unfortunately thought that it was just okay. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I read it in 2020, when I was more new to the queer world. But reading this in 2024, it struck me as a bit cringe.
I had a hard time understanding what the book was wanting the readers to think about the characters. Because sometimes it seemed like we were supposed to side with Ming over Tim, or vice versa. And if the point was to have complex, morally gray characters, unfortunately it just led to me not liking anyone in this book. I thought they were all pretty unlikeable.
It also just struck me as unrealistic overall. And I do understand that this book is ultimately a commentary, but having every character's life resolve solely around being queer just did not feel real to me. Because out of every person I have met in my life, I know that people have more going on in their lives than just their gender and sexuality. And obviously I am not saying this cannot be important to people, but in order for a character to feel realistic, their life needs to be more complex and varied than what was shown in this book.
Also this book felt way too long for what it was. Overall enjoyable though.
Listened to on Libby.
I had a hard time understanding what the book was wanting the readers to think about the characters. Because sometimes it seemed like we were supposed to side with Ming over Tim, or vice versa. And if the point was to have complex, morally gray characters, unfortunately it just led to me not liking anyone in this book. I thought they were all pretty unlikeable.
It also just struck me as unrealistic overall. And I do understand that this book is ultimately a commentary, but having every character's life resolve solely around being queer just did not feel real to me. Because out of every person I have met in my life, I know that people have more going on in their lives than just their gender and sexuality. And obviously I am not saying this cannot be important to people, but in order for a character to feel realistic, their life needs to be more complex and varied than what was shown in this book.
Also this book felt way too long for what it was. Overall enjoyable though.
Listened to on Libby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Sexual content
siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
This was sweet and sad but not my favourite. Maybe the characters were too young and just in a part of their lives that no longer resonates with me. Maybe time moved too quickly and it felt like things just got jumbled. I think it may be a combination of both. I liked Tom and Ming, and now their relationship ebbed and flowed, and I liked the side characters, it just felt like the book just wasn't quite there. I think Dinan opted to zoom out on their lives and over a longer period of time, which worked in some ways but not in others, and that might be where the problem was for me. It was an interesting book with some sweet and heartbreaking moments, but not one I can see myself revisiting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Transphobia
signeskov's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
junglejelly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wish I hadn't read Bellies so fast but I couldn't put it down. Everything about it is just phenomenal. Easily one of my favourite books that I have read in a long time.
While incredibly sad and hard to read at times, the writing is so captivating and the characters you come to care for so easily.
A book that will be hard to forget but easy to love.
While incredibly sad and hard to read at times, the writing is so captivating and the characters you come to care for so easily.
A book that will be hard to forget but easy to love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Medical content
ineffable97's review
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
imrereads's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
I saw someone else describe this as a meditation on vulnerability and intimacy, and I feel that so hard. I'm a little bit at a loss for words, but I felt so close to these characters, and by the last few chapters I did what I almost never do – I cried. I think my biggest issue with this book where the time jumps, for a while I found them very jarring, I couldn't quite tell how much time had passed, but eventually I got into the rythmn of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident
bethanwx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
A beautiful, funny, poignant look at the lives of a love story. Both exploring romantic and platonic love, Bellies is honest and moving, with characters you can't help but feel drawn into the worlds of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
frmeden's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic