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clairewilsonleeds's review against another edition
4.0
Like afterparties, it's a series of short stories, alternating between one boy and others from his neighbourhood. I really enjoyed this, but I did feel like there were some cultural references that were lost on me. It might have been my frame of mind at the time, but I found it a little difficult to get through at times.
book_me's review against another edition
3.0
The stories in "Lot" function, collectively, as a coming of age story of a young, poor, brown, queer boy growing up in southern America. The stories have all the weight and reverence of a memoir, and there is so much here to love.
My discomfort in reading this book came, mainly, from the author's depiction of women. While his depiction of the protagonist felt genuine, compassionate, and complicated, his depiction of the protagonist's sister, aunt, and the women he or his sibling Javi slept with felt flat and dismissive. While I appreciate that their flatness may reflect the way a young man might see the women who flow in and out of his life, I wanted more for them. My favorite stories were "Bayou" "Waugh" and "Lot," which seemed more grounded in the protagonist's point of view. It is a solid collection, but as a person who likes women and is a woman, I don't know if it is "for me."
My discomfort in reading this book came, mainly, from the author's depiction of women. While his depiction of the protagonist felt genuine, compassionate, and complicated, his depiction of the protagonist's sister, aunt, and the women he or his sibling Javi slept with felt flat and dismissive. While I appreciate that their flatness may reflect the way a young man might see the women who flow in and out of his life, I wanted more for them. My favorite stories were "Bayou" "Waugh" and "Lot," which seemed more grounded in the protagonist's point of view. It is a solid collection, but as a person who likes women and is a woman, I don't know if it is "for me."
mol_iver's review against another edition
4.0
really strong sense of place and voice; some of the stories and characters kind of blur together but the ones that stick out pack a punch. interested to read more from this writer.
reinartzreads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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
3.75
andreamichelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
lampost15's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
jake_powell's review against another edition
5.0
Not many moments of feel-good catharsis, nor dramatic tragedies, but instead samples of continuous lives. I felt sad and frustrated by the emotional walls of so many characters, but those small spots of intimacy and tenderness felt all the more significant for their rareness. I don’t think there’s a moral to these stories, and I think that’s why I won’t forget them.