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mostlyvoidpartiallystars's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.75
I liked this book both more and less than I expected, somehow! I thought it would be more of an outright comedy - think Hitchhiker's Guide - but it was more lighthearted and amusing than laugh out loud funny. The tone was much more reflective than I expected. Honestly, it felt like a very gentle satirization of contemporary literature - I felt like it both had a lot of love for the genre, while also pointing out the many ways it can be elitist, privileged, and out of touch.
And, for my recurring section: Do they bury their gays? no. The main character does not die, and there are many other queer characters who do not die. A lot of relationships do end, some more sadly than others, but none are outright tragic, and there are interesting reflections on queer happiness and love throughout. Neither primary romance of the story ends in tragedy or death.
And, for my recurring section: Do they bury their gays?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Homophobia, Sexual content, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Child abuse, Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i was surprised by how much this disappointed me. i’ve heard a few rave about this book and it’s been nominated for and won many awards. i really didn’t understand the hype and felt like it was a pretty lack luster story. i feel like maybe i just didn’t understand it or something idk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, and Infidelity
isabelmary's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
not mad that I read it but would not re-read. lots of wisdom, compassion and insight from the author. highbrow eat pray love with very little time for developing any characters beyond the main character, who sadly was not as endearing to me as the author hoped. prose is beautiful but often overdone. the whole thing ends up being very very meta and actually the final third does pull it off, but that couldn’t stop the first half from feeling like a gentle little drag. still nice to see happy books win prizes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Fatphobia and Homophobia
spookieboogie's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Infidelity, and Sexual content
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