You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
The narration (especially Neil's) comes off as very try-hard and edgy but it fits. The visual aspects of the movie definitely elevate it above the book.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book because I had watched the movie by Gregg Araki, which was good. When reading this book, I immediately noticed how there were all these little details that were left out of the movie that I wish were I included. The two things I wish were changed in this book are Wendy being more involved in the plot, especially since she is the first person that is aware of Neil’s sexual abuse by the Coach’s hands, and the scene Brian has with his dad where he blows up taking place in person instead of over the phone. This is still a good read anyone who watched the movie.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"if we were stars in the latest hollywood blockbuster, then i would have embraced him, my hands patting his shoulderblades, violons and cellos billowing on the soundtrack as tears streamed down our faces. but hollywood would never make a movie about us."
well hollywood didn't, but gregg araki did, and for that i owe him my life.
this is an extremely important book that i wish i'd read earlier in life. yes it's horrible, yes it's very graphic, but it's needed. especially in a society that normalises csa and grooming so fucking much (i live right next to france so you can't change my mind about this)
i particularly resonated with neil's way of dealing with his trauma, but brian was just as compelling. two very different characters impacted by the same events in very different ways.
that being said, i did watch araki's adaptation first and i have to say it works best for me. i'm a bit conflicted though bc the book does provide more insight into the characters' emotions which i appreciate (and a lot of additional POVs), but as a whole it just didn't hit as hard and felt a bit long at times, but god the ending still went for my jugular. i just don't know man
i can't even say i should have read it first because i never even heard of this until i found it on gregg araki's letterboxd page !! this book should be mainstream. goddammit
well hollywood didn't, but gregg araki did, and for that i owe him my life.
this is an extremely important book that i wish i'd read earlier in life. yes it's horrible, yes it's very graphic, but it's needed. especially in a society that normalises csa and grooming so fucking much (i live right next to france so you can't change my mind about this)
i particularly resonated with neil's way of dealing with his trauma, but brian was just as compelling. two very different characters impacted by the same events in very different ways.
that being said, i did watch araki's adaptation first and i have to say it works best for me. i'm a bit conflicted though bc the book does provide more insight into the characters' emotions which i appreciate (and a lot of additional POVs), but as a whole it just didn't hit as hard and felt a bit long at times, but god the ending still went for my jugular. i just don't know man
i can't even say i should have read it first because i never even heard of this until i found it on gregg araki's letterboxd page !! this book should be mainstream. goddammit
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
A good read. Sometimes captivating, sometimes a bit slow and less interesting. Some explicit scenes of sex and violence make it a raw story.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes