Reviews

hashtag lesbian yearning

People really slate Therese as a character, but I think she has a great character arc. A little annoying and obsessive over Carol, well yes, but like... this is exactly what early lesbian crushes/romances are like?? It's very obvious from the first few pages that the author is queer herself, as that intensity is described pretty accurately.

Spoiler

Therese actually handles her first messy queer break-up like an absolute queen, goes no contact, takes two weeks space to herself, new job, sick haircut, spenny outfit

. We've all been there hun. The road trip sometimes got a bit boring tbh and

Spoiler

it took 190 pages for them to bang??

. Still, it's the 1950s, and the first and final third slapped.

The last 20 pages were a wild ride, we got the

Spoiler

unexpected happy ending for the queers, but I wasn't totally sure by the end that I even wanted the happy ending?? I'm not sure they're right for each other. Maybe Therese would have been better going her own way for a bit. But that made it all the more intriguing

puhnner's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.25

I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought that I might - seemed rather tame - then wondered how impactful it was when first published - but then the Afterword (that is well worth the read) answered that question.

clairebodger's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

What a masterpiece. How we watch Therese change over only two months of her life is remarkable. Gotta say, the movie is a flawless adaptation, better than the book but preserves Therese’s nervous introspection and her growth as her relationship with Carol changes. Mandatory queer reading