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nannahnannah's review against another edition
5.0
Ohh, this book hit home on so many levels. I don't think there's a Patrick Ness book I haven't cried while reading yet . . . and to think I thought this was a comedy beforehand! Yeah, it's not a comedy, in case you thought it was. At all.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here takes place in the middle of nowhere, in a place a lot like most small towns, with one restaurant, a high school, lots of trees, etc. But the "indie kids" there (or hipsters as I know them in my own little middle of nowhere) tend to be part of something bigger: what you'd think would be the plotline of the next big-trending fantasy. The main character, Mikey, is definitely not an indie kid, and that big ol' plotline is not for him. Instead, he and his friends are simply inhabitants of the same town those "main characters" live in. And, well, this is their story.
The result is some mixed realistic/coming-of-age and fantasy genre that ends up blending really well, surprisingly.
Patrick Ness really knows how to nail characterization - and show character in a few words. It took to about page 17 for me to fall head over heals for all the main 4 protagonists, and they're all so real it's terrifying. (I mean, maybe it's partly because they're diverse and actually have mental illnesses/struggles with body issues/etc. but I don't need to go into that further.)
The writing is even stronger when it comes to family dynamics. Even the supposedly "bad" parents are more layered and complicated than I thought at first. Right when I make up my mind about someone I'm finding my belief challenged.
I'm a little disappointed at the fatphobia (even if it was just a 1-sentence line - maybe my standards are set a little high for Patrick Ness). It could be the character, not the author, of course! But it's hard to know when that line (in the character's thoughts) aren't challenged at all.
Okay, so I lied when I said I was done talking about the importance of writing diverse characters. Because Mikey's personal story has helped me come to some realizations about myself.
Mikey has OCD and anxiety, and when the anxiety gets worse, so does the OCD. Okay, so there's some novels that have MC's with OCD, but the way Mikey's thoughts and patterns are written is all too relatable. I don't have OCD, but a bfrb (body-focused repetitive behavior), specifically dermatillomania (skin picking disorder). There are passages that I need to stop reading because I'm literally sobbing. The way Mikey can't stop doing something, even when it's causing him pain. It's all written in a way that it's hard not to relate to and feel validated if you struggle with something similar. Mikey eventuallygoes to therapy for his problem, and goes on meds. (The conversation with his therapist--the entire thing--is the realest thing I've ever read. The discussion about "if I go on medication, does that mean I've failed?", the talk about being messed up, etc.) So, yeah, I think I need help, too. I'll probably bring this book with me. Moral support, you know.
I was going to talk about something else, too, but that's a bit spoilery for the book and a bit personal for me. So nah, not today.
In the end, the book reached out and pretty much grabbed my heart. It would be difficult for me to give it anything but five stars. (I've also forced it onto friends, so . . . )
The Rest of Us Just Live Here takes place in the middle of nowhere, in a place a lot like most small towns, with one restaurant, a high school, lots of trees, etc. But the "indie kids" there (or hipsters as I know them in my own little middle of nowhere) tend to be part of something bigger: what you'd think would be the plotline of the next big-trending fantasy. The main character, Mikey, is definitely not an indie kid, and that big ol' plotline is not for him. Instead, he and his friends are simply inhabitants of the same town those "main characters" live in. And, well, this is their story.
The result is some mixed realistic/coming-of-age and fantasy genre that ends up blending really well, surprisingly.
Patrick Ness really knows how to nail characterization - and show character in a few words. It took to about page 17 for me to fall head over heals for all the main 4 protagonists, and they're all so real it's terrifying. (I mean, maybe it's partly because they're diverse and actually have mental illnesses/struggles with body issues/etc. but I don't need to go into that further.)
The writing is even stronger when it comes to family dynamics. Even the supposedly "bad" parents are more layered and complicated than I thought at first. Right when I make up my mind about someone I'm finding my belief challenged.
I'm a little disappointed at the fatphobia (even if it was just a 1-sentence line - maybe my standards are set a little high for Patrick Ness). It could be the character, not the author, of course! But it's hard to know when that line (in the character's thoughts) aren't challenged at all.
Okay, so I lied when I said I was done talking about the importance of writing diverse characters. Because Mikey's personal story has helped me come to some realizations about myself.
Mikey has OCD and anxiety, and when the anxiety gets worse, so does the OCD. Okay, so there's some novels that have MC's with OCD, but the way Mikey's thoughts and patterns are written is all too relatable. I don't have OCD, but a bfrb (body-focused repetitive behavior), specifically dermatillomania (skin picking disorder). There are passages that I need to stop reading because I'm literally sobbing. The way Mikey can't stop doing something, even when it's causing him pain. It's all written in a way that it's hard not to relate to and feel validated if you struggle with something similar. Mikey eventually
I was going to talk about something else, too, but that's a bit spoilery for the book and a bit personal for me. So nah, not today.
In the end, the book reached out and pretty much grabbed my heart. It would be difficult for me to give it anything but five stars. (I've also forced it onto friends, so . . . )
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Fatphobia
rosietoast's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Dementia, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
livya's review against another edition
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
One of the most painfully relatable main characters I’ve seen in a while
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
iamkiaraayleen's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Car accident
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Sexual content, and Dementia
lava_crown's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts
bri_fabiano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, and Car accident
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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
This is the second time I've read The Rest of Us Just Live Here, and I think I loved it more than I did the first time. Ness does a fantastic job writing these well rounded, dynamic characters. They're all so flawed and deeply human that they're easy to love. Meredith is one of my favorite characters. She's got all the trappings of an overachieving Mary Sue protagonist, but she circumvents that pidgeon hole by being a regular kid under all of the genius. Mike, Mel, and Meredith's relationship is one of the best written sibling dynamics I've ever read, and I love how much they love and look out for each other. I also really enjoy how involved their parents are in the storytelling, even if they're not actively involved in the children's lives in the capacity that would best suit them. Their mother is flawed and bad at keeping her political aspirations from harming her children and their well being, but the reader sees her grow as a person throughout the novel as Mike gets a closer look at why their mom is the way she is. Their father's alcoholism is also very well written. They're all done expecting anything from him, but despite that they still love him in their own ways.
The way this group of friends cares for each other and know each other makes this novel really special.
The way this group of friends cares for each other and know each other makes this novel really special.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Dementia, and Car accident
Moderate: Alcoholism and Animal death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
no_this_is_patrick's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicidal thoughts
fatherprozac's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.0
This book could be fun and frustrating at the same time. The characters are interesting but the book's refusal to even say the word "bisexual" is ridiculous as one character debates whether they are straight or gay . There are a few moments of blatant fatphobia despite one character literally suffering from an eating disorder . There was also a gross comment fetishizing mixed race babies from the only known poc character in the book which was uncomfortable. Additionally, there is a romantic relationship between a 19yr old and a 25-26yr old (aka a high schooler and a college graduate) which is super questionable. Otherwise the story is okay, nothing too remarkable. The characters often feel flat with only one or two big traits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Dementia, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, and Grief
Minor: Biphobia, Police brutality, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War
magsisyelling's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the rest of us just live here is profound in that it’s not profound. it’s the ultimate paradox. it’s full of yearning yet it’s content. it’s realistic yet fantastical. it’s new and invigorating yet it’s a tale as old as time. it has taught me so very much and yet so very little. it’s mundane yet extraordinary.
it’s mini golf and driving with the windows down and prom night drama. it’s freshly squeezed chain restaurant lemonade and bouquets of wildflowers and crying into tepid bath water. it’s rainy days and staring into open flame. it’s become my strange little home.
i’ve read this book many, many times now, and of course i’ve made many a critique over the years. it’s by no means a perfect feat of literature, but i love it all the same. for small-town, mentally ill, queer, and ex-religious people, this one’s for you.
it’s mini golf and driving with the windows down and prom night drama. it’s freshly squeezed chain restaurant lemonade and bouquets of wildflowers and crying into tepid bath water. it’s rainy days and staring into open flame. it’s become my strange little home.
i’ve read this book many, many times now, and of course i’ve made many a critique over the years. it’s by no means a perfect feat of literature, but i love it all the same. for small-town, mentally ill, queer, and ex-religious people, this one’s for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism