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islamaunder21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Homophobia, Sexism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
guyjoey86's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence
banannabel's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Moderate: Police brutality, Homophobia, and Misogyny
sunny_bumblebee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
higherwvrlvck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime and Homophobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia and Abortion
Besides one scene towards the end of the novel in Part IV, I don't think there's anything violently graphic, but there are plenty of sex scenes that go into moderate detail. This is the only scene that might be severely triggering for contemporary readers. The attitudes and cultural values of late 1950s Britain are present, so that includes misogyny which I think Bethan Roberts begins discussions about the possible tensions between Patrick and Tom's misogyny (and from characters like Sylvie's husband) and Marion's homophobia several times that are very interesting.insanelyfruity's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
"You were looking at Tom without smiling, with an expression of deep absorption. You considered him, in the same way that others in the room were considering the displays."
I think the quote above sums up the relationships between the characters very well.
it took me a while to read this book because I could feel just how sad it was and that made it hard for me to read. everytime I picked up the book I was immediately engrossed and wanted to know what would happen but I had to pace out the reading for the sake of my mental peace.
this book is so gorgeously written and even though I wasn't alive in Brighton in the 50s-60s, I'm sure it's very accurate about the time period it mentions. I'm so glad that the author chose to deal with a sensitive topic like this with the proper care and respect by doing research and not romanticising terrible moments in history. the movie recently came out and I think because of all the details in the book, the book is more impactful than the movie.
I am so glad I stuck with this book. definitely would recommend.
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Death
cat_astrophe12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Medical content, Outing, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Violence
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
james1star's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia and Hate crime
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Death, Fatphobia, and Suicide
steffan_tastic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Outing, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Vomit and Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny and Lesbophobia
binreads'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
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.
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Outing, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Suicide