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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Sometimes you read a book and it just feels like a chore, like you have to actively work at setting aside time and even the energy to keep picking it up. This was not the case for this one. Not even a little bit. I voraciously devoured it. I loved the representation (queer, multiracial couple), the discussion of heavy themes (such as being HIV positive) and it being so matter-of-fact/not a big deal… as it should be! And Mike's mother, Mitsuko was my favorite!!
I wanted to like this book, but it felt like the book didn't want me to like it. It felt emotionally stunted and distant. Despite their diverse identities the characters felt pretty flat and their relationship was literally nothing to write home about. (As in, one character moves away and can't be bothered to write his partner about it and instead just sends pictures. Taking 'show, don't tell' a little too literally).
And you can't be on I-10 and Allen Parkway at the same time!! Almost docked a star for that.
And you can't be on I-10 and Allen Parkway at the same time!! Almost docked a star for that.
Weird and beautiful. Dreamy, deep characterization, excellent writing. Definitely weird though.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a challenging book to see to the end. The beginning is fast, gripping, and so shockingly honest... but the characters are so damaged that it is tough to stick with them for so long. There are some wonderful moments in this book, but there were quite a few pages that dragged.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will like this book, I said. Just gotta get past the first chapters and you’ll get into it, said Gustavo.
But I didn’t. I really did want to love this book as a queer person of color from/in Houston. I struggled with the writing style and lack of plot and it didn’t help by listening to the audiobook for a chunk of it.
I did feel the book captured queer identity/relationships, day-to-day life, family/estrangement, and all the complexities that come with it.
But I didn’t. I really did want to love this book as a queer person of color from/in Houston. I struggled with the writing style and lack of plot and it didn’t help by listening to the audiobook for a chunk of it.
I did feel the book captured queer identity/relationships, day-to-day life, family/estrangement, and all the complexities that come with it.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
TBH I wasn’t sold on Ben and Mike’s relationship. Honestly, I was more invested in Ben and Mitsuko’s dynamic. But I did enjoy the author’s writing style and attention to detail so I will be checking out more of their work.
This book was okay. I don’t feel like it really went anywhere and nothing was clear on what they thought or what they did. And I feel like the way the characters spoke was for shock value, but didn’t really add up to who some of the characters were. Benson comes off as a meek character who is kind of solitary but then he acts in ways when he’s with Mike that just don’t add up. But maybe that’s the point. We don’t really get into the characters too deeply to truly figure it out.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME. This was...so fucking beautiful. The nuances of Benson's and Mike's lives are captivated so wonderfully. The writing is so powerful in how pared back it is. Despite being sometimes confused about who was speaking due to style choices Washington made, I felt so captivated in the dialogue.
This was tragic, heartbreaking, true, poetic. I wish I could put into words how much I enjoyed this that isn't just wejkbsf;klergns;a;egkhrfsd.
This was tragic, heartbreaking, true, poetic. I wish I could put into words how much I enjoyed this that isn't just wejkbsf;klergns;a;egkhrfsd.