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zamziva's review
challenging
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really didn't like this book at first. At times Sarah Schulman's writing just wasn't hitting the spot. I'm not sure I'm a fan of her writing really, and I really disliked that there would be consecutive chapters told from the same point of view and happening almost immediately after each other - why not make it just one chapter?!
But either way I got wrapped up in it. By the fourth or fifth chapter I kinda blazed through it.
People in Trouble follows Molly, a young lesbian activist, Kate an artist and Peter a light technician/designer for the theatre. The first few chapters of the novel follow Kate who is having an affair with the much younger Molly, and Peter - her husband. Peter is unbearable. I hate him - god - he is vile. He is the epitome of privileged, annoying, white cis-men and goddamit I wish I didn't have to read his perspective because he gave nothing to the story. Kate was at times interesting to read but it was pretty depressing as she's a bisexual woman who is just awful to Molly and Peter and just can't accept being a bit of a lesbian. Molly was the only bearable point of view, which other reviewers echo, and gave a lot of insight into the organising and activism of "Justice" (based on Act Up).
I personally avoid books that just follow people's relationships and not much happens, but the parts of the story that explored AIDs activism, gentrification and queer experiences were what hooked me. I wouldn't recommend this as a "must-read" unless you like depressing love triangles with gross straight men who believe in the "gay agenda" when gay men are literally dying. I am interested in reading Schulman's other works, maybe more her non-ficiton, as I found some of her prose clunky and lacking.
But either way I got wrapped up in it. By the fourth or fifth chapter I kinda blazed through it.
People in Trouble follows Molly, a young lesbian activist, Kate an artist and Peter a light technician/designer for the theatre. The first few chapters of the novel follow Kate who is having an affair with the much younger Molly, and Peter - her husband. Peter is unbearable. I hate him - god - he is vile. He is the epitome of privileged, annoying, white cis-men and goddamit I wish I didn't have to read his perspective because he gave nothing to the story. Kate was at times interesting to read but it was pretty depressing as she's a bisexual woman who is just awful to Molly and Peter and just can't accept being a bit of a lesbian. Molly was the only bearable point of view, which other reviewers echo, and gave a lot of insight into the organising and activism of "Justice" (based on Act Up).
I personally avoid books that just follow people's relationships and not much happens, but the parts of the story that explored AIDs activism, gentrification and queer experiences were what hooked me. I wouldn't recommend this as a "must-read" unless you like depressing love triangles with gross straight men who believe in the "gay agenda" when gay men are literally dying. I am interested in reading Schulman's other works, maybe more her non-ficiton, as I found some of her prose clunky and lacking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Homophobia
Minor: Death and Cultural appropriation
kariss182's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This had so much potential, the characters being part of Act Up, such an important organisation could have been so great but this was just all over the place. The characters are all insufferable, especially the married couple and the plot jumps app over the place. in two sentences it can jump head in time and place with no explanation.
Not helped by the fact I've worked in theatre and the descriptions we're ridiculous, and then there was the sex seans...I had to check several times this book was written by a woman.
Not to be overly critical, it was more enjoyable in the first half and I enjoyed the quick pacing but the characters actions and dialogue were just too unrealistic for me.
Not helped by the fact I've worked in theatre and the descriptions we're ridiculous, and then there was the sex seans...I had to check several times this book was written by a woman.
Not to be overly critical, it was more enjoyable in the first half and I enjoyed the quick pacing but the characters actions and dialogue were just too unrealistic for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
leighmayon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Cancer, Police brutality, Rape, and Sexual assault
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