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annetjeberg's review against another edition
3.0
This was a strange book. I really disliked the main character, but somehow I really wanted to find out what would happen to her. Of course, nothing really good can come from a self portrait with a boy falling to death.
Different.
Different.
nixieknox's review against another edition
3.0
This was a compelling story - the main character was driven and not always nice/thoughtful. She justified everything to herself for the sake of her art, good and bad. Not being an artist it was hard to sympathize with this. I don't want to spoil anything.
I wasn't down with the ghost stuff. But overall, I recommend this.
I wasn't down with the ghost stuff. But overall, I recommend this.
jmm2431's review against another edition
4.0
Really good story. I think it dragged on longer than it needed to be.
the1germ's review against another edition
5.0
Set in the late 80’s, Lu is a struggling photographer in a rapidly gentrifying artist neighborhood in New York City. While she’s working three jobs, and the building she’s living in is condemned, she hones her craft with a project: A self portrait photograph, every day. It becomes a routine she almost sleep walks through, until the day she shot Self-Portrait #400.
For her 400th self-portrait, she frames herself against the window overlooking the city from her condemned apartment with a breathtaking view. She sets the timer, climbs up the side, and leaps across. When it’s developed, she’s shocked at what she finds in the background: the body of her upstairs neighbor’s son, falling to his death just outside her window.
It’s the best photograph she’s ever taken. A “happy accident” so powerful it could change her life. A career making photograph. It’s the biggest opportunity she’s ever been given. The question is: should she take it?
Self-Portrait With Boy is a haunting exploration of morality vs a desperate artist’s ambition, and the selfishness of the capitalistic elite. How far is too far, in the name of content? What becomes of a person that steals and profits off of another person’s tragedy? What does it make of us, the consumer? Is it worth it, if it saves just one life?
Though it’s set in the 80’s, I found it incredibly relevant and left with a lot to think about.
For her 400th self-portrait, she frames herself against the window overlooking the city from her condemned apartment with a breathtaking view. She sets the timer, climbs up the side, and leaps across. When it’s developed, she’s shocked at what she finds in the background: the body of her upstairs neighbor’s son, falling to his death just outside her window.
It’s the best photograph she’s ever taken. A “happy accident” so powerful it could change her life. A career making photograph. It’s the biggest opportunity she’s ever been given. The question is: should she take it?
Self-Portrait With Boy is a haunting exploration of morality vs a desperate artist’s ambition, and the selfishness of the capitalistic elite. How far is too far, in the name of content? What becomes of a person that steals and profits off of another person’s tragedy? What does it make of us, the consumer? Is it worth it, if it saves just one life?
Though it’s set in the 80’s, I found it incredibly relevant and left with a lot to think about.
umeboshhhi's review against another edition
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jenk2020's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
C - 9 A - 8 W - 9 P - 9 I - 8 L - 9 E - 7
tomhill's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-The premise is impossible to resist, kind of ingenious I think, and the precipitating incident is hauntingly depicted. There are a lot of big ideas explored here: what is art's value when measured against human suffering? Art should be "pure" and thought-provoking, but at what cost? Should luck be passed off genius? A deeper exploration of characters might have been possible, but the book is very effective at exploring the questions it poses.
howardl's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
main character sucks big
time
time