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citrus_seasalt's review against another edition
5.0
Of all the genres I’ve read and places I’ve looked, never once did I think that one of my favorite books of all time would end up being a children’s (middle grade) book. I remember seeing something about this in a random corner of Bookstagram last year, and I’ve postponed this on my pile because the subject matter made me nervous. While I understand if some people have to take breaks from the often graphic recollections Rowan writes, or if they might never get around to reading this at all, I don’t regret reading “the ship we built” at all.
The mind and thoughts of a child is so expertly captured in Rowan as a character. I’m sure part of this has to do with the author basing him somewhat off of themself at his age, but it’s still a skill I think is worth acknowledging. Putting you directly in Rowan’s shoes also makes the 90’s Midwest setting feel seamless. I heavily empathized with him…his loneliness, his preservation of his moments of joy, his sadness. Especially when he would directly address the reader. I cannot count how many times I wished to respond to his letters, fight his parents, or hug him.
Because of how young the POV is (ten years old), and how the writing style has to be simple to accommodate that, there was a quiet profoundness throughout. Rowan might not know how to put himself, the love he has for his friend, and all of the emotions that come with living in the Beck household into words sometimes. It can definitely show. But the largeness of those feelings is still felt in all the pages. The love he had for his friend Sofie, and the way she cared for him just as much, brought a bit of light to an otherwise heartbreaking narrative. To see that kind of innocent queer love, too, was beautiful.
Another thing I loved was how Rowan’s gender identity was written. For the first part of the book, he is still trying to figure out how he wants to refer to himself, something made harder by both his age and the hostility of his environment. He cycles through many names, as shown in the variations of sign-offs in his letters. Sometimes, particularly in the middle, his sign-off signatures can even be a signifier of his current mental state or emotions.
And the drawings, too!! I loved them so much. Not only were they precious, but they added a little more life to Rowan’s narrative because it meant you could more easily envision the different people, objects and places he was talking about. Rowan also evolves through his art, which goes on to show how he sees himself or wishes to be, which was a nice touch.
Anyways. I can’t recommend reading this in one sitting—not just because of just how upsetting the story can be, but also because this is very slow-paced. It feels like a recollection of several normal days, with the letters dated and spaced out in a way to feel like you’re watching the story unfold in real time. If you’re looking for something with a high-stakes final act, or a climactic ending, you’re not going to find one. But I would still give this book all the stars I possibly could, because if it touched my heart and soul on this level, I can’t imagine what it can do for people who know, or perhaps are themselves, a Rowan.
The mind and thoughts of a child is so expertly captured in Rowan as a character. I’m sure part of this has to do with the author basing him somewhat off of themself at his age, but it’s still a skill I think is worth acknowledging. Putting you directly in Rowan’s shoes also makes the 90’s Midwest setting feel seamless. I heavily empathized with him…his loneliness, his preservation of his moments of joy, his sadness. Especially when he would directly address the reader. I cannot count how many times I wished to respond to his letters, fight his parents, or hug him.
Because of how young the POV is (ten years old), and how the writing style has to be simple to accommodate that, there was a quiet profoundness throughout. Rowan might not know how to put himself, the love he has for his friend, and all of the emotions that come with living in the Beck household into words sometimes. It can definitely show. But the largeness of those feelings is still felt in all the pages. The love he had for his friend Sofie, and the way she cared for him just as much, brought a bit of light to an otherwise heartbreaking narrative. To see that kind of innocent queer love, too, was beautiful.
Another thing I loved was how Rowan’s gender identity was written. For the first part of the book, he is still trying to figure out how he wants to refer to himself, something made harder by both his age and the hostility of his environment. He cycles through many names, as shown in the variations of sign-offs in his letters. Sometimes, particularly in the middle, his sign-off signatures can even be a signifier of his current mental state or emotions.
And the drawings, too!! I loved them so much. Not only were they precious, but they added a little more life to Rowan’s narrative because it meant you could more easily envision the different people, objects and places he was talking about. Rowan also evolves through his art, which goes on to show how he sees himself or wishes to be, which was a nice touch.
Anyways. I can’t recommend reading this in one sitting—not just because of just how upsetting the story can be, but also because this is very slow-paced. It feels like a recollection of several normal days, with the letters dated and spaced out in a way to feel like you’re watching the story unfold in real time. If you’re looking for something with a high-stakes final act, or a climactic ending, you’re not going to find one. But I would still give this book all the stars I possibly could, because if it touched my heart and soul on this level, I can’t imagine what it can do for people who know, or perhaps are themselves, a Rowan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Incest
j_loon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Didn’t expect to cry at the end of it but i did. oHh i did. it had a beautiful ending i didn’t expect and now i wish there were at least three more chapters..
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
good_names_dont_exist's review against another edition
A bunch of people were waiting for the book and I’m in a borderline slump so I felt guilty
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
Minor: Incest and Racism
anacereading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Transphobia, and Homophobia
lilyrooke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
are you looking for a 90s-vibe, MG epistolary novel from the perspective of a trans child who is being sexually abused by his father?
read this if you enjoyed: other painful, unflinching trauma narratives.
rep: questioning, trans MC; Black queer-coded best friend.
cw: child sexual abuse; incest; transphobia; bullying; homophobia; dissociation; trauma; suicide ideation; parental incarceration; institutional racism
Haunting. Painful. This is a book I wish I hadn't read, in all honesty. But perhaps someday I'll feel different, and I'll know it helped guide me along my own river. Please pay attention to the content warnings; this book does not play nice.
CAWPILE: 7.7 (4*)
favourite aspect: Rowan's friendship with Sofie offered a beautiful ray of light. I cheered when Mr B left Rowan the note with his phone number, but as the author says, it's rare that a sexually abused child would reach out to another adult, so it's our responsibility to keep looking out for them.
a wish: Content. warnings. save. lives. and. should. be. mandatory.
read this if you enjoyed: other painful, unflinching trauma narratives.
rep: questioning, trans MC; Black queer-coded best friend.
cw: child sexual abuse; incest; transphobia; bullying; homophobia; dissociation; trauma; suicide ideation; parental incarceration; institutional racism
Haunting. Painful. This is a book I wish I hadn't read, in all honesty. But perhaps someday I'll feel different, and I'll know it helped guide me along my own river. Please pay attention to the content warnings; this book does not play nice.
CAWPILE: 7.7 (4*)
favourite aspect: Rowan's friendship with Sofie offered a beautiful ray of light. I cheered when Mr B left Rowan the note with his phone number, but as the author says, it's rare that a sexually abused child would reach out to another adult, so it's our responsibility to keep looking out for them.
a wish: Content. warnings. save. lives. and. should. be. mandatory.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Bullying, Transphobia, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
An absolutely heartbreaking book with just enough hope at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Mental illness, and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism and Racism
lavenderdolmeh's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Conversion therapysarahaf712's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Transphobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Outing, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
matthiasreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, and Sexual assault
typethewriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so good. Idk what to say about this really. The way it was written was really effective for getting a message across coz of the simplicity of the writing. This book almost made a cry a few times and was relatable in a way that made me feel Seen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Transphobia