Reviews

Girl Meets Boy by Ali Smith

hagocpanna's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.0

brisingr's review against another edition

3.0

this could have been a 4-stars read if i didn't listen to the audibook - i really disliked the narrator *clown noises*

eweaver1028's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book. The character development and relationships were definitely my favorite aspects. I appreciated that the prose was lyrical, but not too much as to take away from my understanding. I also did not need to have a deep understanding of the myth to get what was happening. Overall a quick and interesting read.

gapingvoid's review

challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.0

Quite quick read. Not even close to anything I've read before when it comes to its themes, or its combination of themes to be specific. Girl meets Boy is a retelling of Iphis and Ianthe's story in Ovid'd metamorphosis. It plays with gender (and language surrounding it), delves into human relationships - sisterly, romantic, etc. - and is using Inverness as a playing field, incorporating Scottish regionalisms in its language (teuchter, stravaig...) and culture (kilts, relation between the English and the Scottish).
Overall, very intriguing mix of Greek and Scottish, though I must say that the end seemed a bit ridiculous and confusing.

esther_a_'s review against another edition

3.0

I found the dialogue hard to follow at times. So couldn’t fully connect with the story. It introduced me to the myth of Iphis, which I hadn't heard of before and I did enjoy the poetic style.

allthismakescherries's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

lucysiri's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.75

lee_loryn_'s review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this modern retelling of Iphis. The story follows two sisters (briefly in childhood, but mostly as adults) after the disappearance of their impressionable grandparents. Imogen strives for control, while Anthea is drawn to disruptions in control. Like a coin flipping, the two narratives went back and forth. While Anthea falls for Robin, Imogen struggles with her sister's sexuality, her own body image, and her corporate job. The backdrop of the water company rings true. I thought it was a really important part, in showing the fake structure of marketing (marketing resources yay!) and how Imogen finally walks away from the pressures it impresses once she finds it ridiculous.
I also just really love retelling and love Ali Smith's writing.

elspethevans23's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

kim318's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0