Scan barcode
judythedreamer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
John Green is just not for me. He writes amazing philosophical spirals and character portraits but he neglects the story so much that there's little to no enticement to keep the train going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Ableism, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
alexiconic's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The question this book raises is: how many stars does a book get for its (good, relatable, rarely well done) depiction of mental illness? I think this was for me the biggest strength of the book. And maybe … when it comes down to it, it’s what made it a good book at all.
Because the representation of OCD in this book is really, really good. It is confronting to see thought spirals portrayed so well. And it was great to see this without any blemish or polish. For my taste, however, too much of the book was about the continuing and worsening spirals, and the (sometimes a little obnoxious) existential wondering included. I guess that’s where this is a YA novel and I am no longer a teen, but it’s a little dramatic. It also made the (at most 50 pages-long) realizations and “recovery” too sudden, too rushed, and unfortunately the book lost some strength here. Yes, it is difficult to write how taking medication regularly will suddenly improve your mental health. But if 3/4ths of the book have been about the hell of the symptoms and the worries about taking meds, it would have been nice to have a bit more analysis. And while the end resonated with my own mental health experiences, it seems counterintuitive and is not often seen and that is exactly why I would have loved for the last 10 pages to last a bit longer.
I just wanted a bit more time in the story. A bit more time for the cool sidekicks. A bit more time for the OCD and for recovery. In the end, though, isn't that also a good sign?
Because the representation of OCD in this book is really, really good. It is confronting to see thought spirals portrayed so well. And it was great to see this without any blemish or polish. For my taste, however, too much of the book was about the continuing and worsening spirals, and the (sometimes a little obnoxious) existential wondering included. I guess that’s where this is a YA novel and I am no longer a teen, but it’s a little dramatic. It also made the (at most 50 pages-long) realizations and “recovery” too sudden, too rushed, and unfortunately the book lost some strength here. Yes, it is difficult to write how taking medication regularly will suddenly improve your mental health. But if 3/4ths of the book have been about the hell of the symptoms and the worries about taking meds, it would have been nice to have a bit more analysis. And while the end resonated with my own mental health experiences, it seems counterintuitive and is not often seen and that is exactly why I would have loved for the last 10 pages to last a bit longer.
I just wanted a bit more time in the story. A bit more time for the cool sidekicks. A bit more time for the OCD and for recovery. In the end, though, isn't that also a good sign?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Medical trauma, Self harm, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Body horror, and Blood
abrose2001'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
4.5
Though not my favorite book, a really good depiction of mental health, being a teenager, and of true friendship. The characters all felt real, the story was somewhat fantastical but it was treated as almost a background or one of the side plots compared to the focus of the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
More...