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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Thanks to Algonquin Publishing and the author for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to connect with the book's protagonist, teenager Charlie Boykin, a teenager growing up with a single mother on the "wrong" side of Nashville who gets an unexpected opportunity to attend an elite private school. He meets suave, confident upper classman Archer Creigh, who promptly takes Charlie under his tutelage in how to live a life of privilege and minimal consequences.
By the end of the first couple of chapters, however, I found that I was rooting for Charlie to stay smart and not let the money and privilege he is exposed to change who he was as a person. Charlie's story did not go where I expected it to, and I definitely enjoyed the ride.
Four stars for this clever, sometimes heartbreaking literary fiction that has been described as a fresh take on The Great Gatsby (although I will say that I liked Charlie much more than I have ever liked any of the characters in Fitzgerald's classic novel).
When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to connect with the book's protagonist, teenager Charlie Boykin, a teenager growing up with a single mother on the "wrong" side of Nashville who gets an unexpected opportunity to attend an elite private school. He meets suave, confident upper classman Archer Creigh, who promptly takes Charlie under his tutelage in how to live a life of privilege and minimal consequences.
By the end of the first couple of chapters, however, I found that I was rooting for Charlie to stay smart and not let the money and privilege he is exposed to change who he was as a person. Charlie's story did not go where I expected it to, and I definitely enjoyed the ride.
Four stars for this clever, sometimes heartbreaking literary fiction that has been described as a fresh take on The Great Gatsby (although I will say that I liked Charlie much more than I have ever liked any of the characters in Fitzgerald's classic novel).
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I didn’t love this book then in back to back chapters there was a scene with a manipulative love proclamation and another with a non-consensual kiss that I found problematic. There is also a potentially problematic/homophobic scene that may be resolved in the second half of the book but I did not encounter a resolution in the first half.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Racism
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ending fell flat for me
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wealth, power, lies... this book is summed up! I loved the rags to riches of it all and how people forget who they are when money is involved. It was hard to root for these characters when they had 17372 secrets going on! I loved the messy web and how the story came back around! This was a well done character driven novel
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief
Minor: Suicide
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Tarkington is solid with this coming up age, have/have-nots story. Great reading for these stressful times!