Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Die unerklärliche Logik meines Lebens by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

3 reviews

apricothopeful'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, Homophobia, Cancer, and Terminal illness

Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness

nefari_'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

“She knew I hated being called white boy. Even though I was technically a white boy, I was raised in a Mexican family. So I didn’t qualify as your average white boy. “

“The B word is the N-word for girls. I hate that. What kind of feminist are you, anyway? “

“One of the great things about Sam was that she didn’t throw like a girl. “

“You know, for a gay guy, my dad was pretty straight. “

“And Fito’s such a schizophrenic dork. “

These direct quotes….speak for themselves 🙃. I can’t believe this is the same author who wrote 2 of my favorite books. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Homophobia

Minor: Animal cruelty, Ableism, Car accident, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

alylentz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

3.0

2021 reread: I still think this is lovely and warm, but I did realize how slowly it moved this time and maybe wished there was a little more plot driving things along. I don't think I loved it quite as much as the first time, but still found it beautiful and an enjoyable reread.

I probably read this in a little over 24 hours. His style is just so readable and his stories always hook me immediately and I can't put them down. I enjoyed seeing a different kind of plot than Aristotle and Dante (which I loved so much I still think about it probably like every day) but with a lot of similar coming of age and community themes. I couldn't help comparing them, and while I do think that one was probably a better novel overall, this one is still extremely strong. At times things seem to fall into place too easily or there was something about the narration that seemed like it wasn't as natural as A&D, but overall, I got completely sucked in and couldn't predict what was going to happen. And of course, I cried at the end! Anyway, I loved this--it's a quick read that still manages to feel soulful, fresh, and honest.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence