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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had read this book on recommendation from a friend because of its use of sensory detail in story telling. The narative device was unique and kept me guessing what the plot would end of being. Unlike most coming of age stories, which focus on a short time in life, this coming of age story spanned generations and included a rich history of the narrator that felt deep and relevant the entire time
Is this book good? Hard question for me to answer. I think it is an important one to read to catch a grasp on how culture and family history can effect you at the present. I also think the research on kinds of intersex conditions was done well and the way the culture of the family influenced how his current situation came to be was also an interesting point. However I could have done with less descriptions of family member's sex lives, and a little more talking about the main character/narrator's life. The rare moments where he talks about his own preferences and feelings stood out to me. I'd recommend people read this if it were for a book club or a serious discussion, but I would also give it a fair number of content warnings for incest, listening to a person narrate the sex lives of their grandparents, and a few other very sensitive things. Again, if you want to get in the head of an intersexed character so that you can understand why it is important that we let them make their own decisions about who they are and what surgeries they may want to have this is a good read, but if you were wanting something less weighty or are sensitive to plotlines about family relationships- give it a pass.
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5 stars. I found the structure a little frustrating, and there were some bits that wandered on longer than they needed to, but on the while this was brilliant and a fascinating look at a particular set of life experiences.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
I Loved the concept of the book, the writing style and the characters. It was fun, informative and an excellent story line. Although, in general principle, I refuse to read books recommended by Oprah, this one was worth it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting read. Too long in my opinion - beginning and ending were strong but the middle section sagged. Cal was a sympathetic narrator and I liked the way information was dropped at long intervals throughout the book, helped the novel as a whole feel more cohesive. A few niggling things I didn’t clear up - (why was Cal’s brother only referred to Chapter Eleven? How did Cal end up in Berlin? What happened to the Object when Cal moved back, and why never refer to her by name but clearly identify brother, friends, etc?) these made the ending feel slightly dissatisfying to me as I had expected them to be cleared up. But I liked the way that Cal operated as a narrator, a kind of fluid and omniscient abstract which gave the novel a unique feel.