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reading_thefineprint's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This a coming of age that double as a coping with grief journey. The connections Reynolds makes throughout it also beautifully display how intertwined a city can be, regardless of its size.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder and Alcoholism
The main character works in a funeral, this is reveled on the back of the book, so there is a significant amount of death. Some of these occur in more intense ways than others, so be prepared for heavy topics.ashleycmms's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, and Cancer
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Domestic abuse
vulturetime's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I really enjoyed this book; it’s not one with a lot of action, focusing more on the characters (Matt specifically, and how he is trying to deal after his mother’s death). I think the book is fairly well written, though I may be a bit biased, since I lost a grandparent when I was in school and some of Matt’s narration in the beginning really hit close to home as to how I felt when that happened.
The only reason this didn’t get five stars from me is because I felt like the plot got a bit weaker in the second half of the book—we moved away from some of Matt’s relationships to focus on his budding one with Love. This would have been fine since Matt is pretty solid in his relationships, except I really felt like there would be a reconciliation scene or something of that sort with his father, and that didn’t come. Additionally, I felt like the progression of Matt and Love’s relationship happened a bit too quickly. However, that critique comes in retrospect; when I was reading this book I still greatly enjoyed it.
There was also one tiny detail I got annoyed about—Jimmy and Mike in the beginning have Matt’s narration saying that their names are actually Ahmed and Tahir, and then those names are never used again, so I wonder at the point of that.
The only reason this didn’t get five stars from me is because I felt like the plot got a bit weaker in the second half of the book—we moved away from some of Matt’s relationships to focus on his budding one with Love. This would have been fine since Matt is pretty solid in his relationships, except
There was also one tiny detail I got annoyed about—Jimmy and Mike in the beginning have Matt’s narration saying that their names are actually Ahmed and Tahir, and then those names are never used again, so I wonder at the point of that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
potatie's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Three things to describe The Boy in the Black Suit:
1. Grief
2. Alcoholism
3. Finding love through cooking
CAWPILE: 8.29 = 4 stars
What Jason Reynolds accomplishes in The Boy in the Black Suit is a deep personal look into the way grief can affect people. Coming along to each funeral with Matt, was eye opening and heart wrenching of an experience. The beautiful change in Matt we see as he comes to terms with the death of his mother, and the connection he finds again through cooking was outstanding.
The poetic prose of Jason's writing was stunning and engaging, at no point did you feel there was too much wording, or long drawn out descriptions for the sake of it. The ending gave you a sense of relief and longing for further explanation into Matt and Lovey's life.
I will devour anything that Jason Reynolds writes.
1. Grief
2. Alcoholism
3. Finding love through cooking
CAWPILE: 8.29 = 4 stars
What Jason Reynolds accomplishes in The Boy in the Black Suit is a deep personal look into the way grief can affect people. Coming along to each funeral with Matt, was eye opening and heart wrenching of an experience. The beautiful change in Matt we see as he comes to terms with the death of his mother, and the connection he finds again through cooking was outstanding.
The poetic prose of Jason's writing was stunning and engaging, at no point did you feel there was too much wording, or long drawn out descriptions for the sake of it. The ending gave you a sense of relief and longing for further explanation into Matt and Lovey's life.
I will devour anything that Jason Reynolds writes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief
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