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introverted_reads'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Cursing, Death, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Suicide, Misogyny, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Colonisation, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and War
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Now, maybe it was just the high of The Midnight Library and The Comfort Book, specifically, but I was really itching for something profound and inspiring to me, personally. That's not so much what I found in this book.
For the most part, this was historical fiction, with elements of magical realism thrown in there and a few nods to the modern era. I don't resonate well with historical fiction, so I think that's the first thing that kind of put me off. The concept of a person who ages at a snail's pace fascinated me, but I wasn't expecting to spend so much time getting to know Shakespeare... and that's kind of what happened.
Not that there's anything wrong with this in the slightest, it just didn't stand out to me. The meaningful aspects of the book were towards the last couple of chapters. Those, I could've highlighted in full, because they were so profound. However, I had hoped for a lot more of that throughout the book, so it was just a bit of a bummer.
However, I would read this book again! That might sound strange, but it's true. I do feel like there was a lot to learn from it, but I probably missed certain things because I got distracted while listening to the audiobook (which had a lovely narrator whose accent I adored, even if I wasn't obsessed with his performance). I'd like to read the updated edition that came out in 2022 as a physical copy to see what else I could gain!
As a whole, it was an interesting book, just not one that I would find myself recommending endlessly as I have with Matt's other books.
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts
mj0's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I can't wait for this brilliant novel to be turned into a movie (apparently starring Benedict Cumberbatch), though unfortunately, it's 2022 and it was first pitched to be a movie in 2017. So will we get a movie adaptation? I don't know. But I really, really hope so.
Though I don't think you can ever express this kind of novel in a movie in a way it does it justice.
I highly recommend, to all types of readers.
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Addiction, Acephobia/Arophobia, Drug use, Cursing, Colonisation, and Alcohol
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Child death, and Murder
bookcentipede's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Pregnancy, Murder, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, and Cursing
bash5617's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Colonisation, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Abandonment, and Panic attacks/disorders
meetmeinthebookstore's review
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Mental illness
cervina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Minor: Cursing, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Vomit
laurajones's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, and Racial slurs
lilacsophie's review
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Self harm
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders