Reviews with content warning for Cancer - Mayflies

Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

Mayflies by Andrew O'Hagan

51 reviews

potterpav's review against another edition

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? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

wow. what a short but utterly compelling read. books about sad topics that handle them in a light hearted manner will always do me in and this was no exception! whilst i’m not giving this book more than 4 stars (mainly bc i thought it could done w more filling out of when they were young) it is still a beautiful piece of prose, it’s truly stunning. there were some lines in this book that made me put my copy down and stare at a wall for a little bit. but that’s exactly what these kind of books are meant to make you do - remember humanity and how the people around you are the most crucial elements of your life!

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liliana92's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really loved everything about Tully and Jimmy's story. The beginning was very interesting and the end was great, heartfelt and such a sweet depiction of a lifelong friendship.
But I must say all the Manchester trip stuff, the other friends and all the 80s music references kind of lost me there for a sec. Also, how Jimmy hinted, when older, that he had a period of not being as connected with Tully, but then not exploring futher, left me feeling like i was missing something.
Overall, a worth read though. One I would recommend.

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itsredandread's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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irislovescats's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.75

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jjb21's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Some absolutely beautiful writing. A very evocative setting, time, place and feeling. Funny in places. Some hugely thought-provoking concepts and sections. Just felt like I didn’t go deep enough with the characters. But perhaps that’s the point?

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e11en's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

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linci's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Dear Matija, this was painful to read. The first two thirds because I didn't get the references and couldn't connec to the story or characters, and last third of the book because I couldn't see the pages from my tears. I hope nothings remotely similar ever happens to us and I hope we live a long and happy life full of music and movies and friendships, without Ulysses. I love you!

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gritsgritsgrits's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-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

5.0

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crypticmetall's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

I picked this book up because I wanted to understand men... soft gently complex and utterly nuance men. Male friendship with a deep innate love for one another that isn't normalized in media. Seeing their story fleshed out in a way that felt genuine, understood and with a bittersweet end was a wonderfully sad experience.

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eabhawall's review

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book was a tale of 2 halves. Exploring friendship between a group of Scottish lads, both in the 80s as teens and then in their middle age.
I thought the novel was interesting, but I wasn't as blown away as many other reviewers. It is a beautiful depiction and exploration of ageing, male friendship and terminal illness. Jimmy and Tully's connection was great, but most of the supporting characters were underdeveloped in the first half. Therefore I didn't much care where their stories had gone once the time had jumped.

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