Reviews - Her Name in the Sky

1.42k reviews for:

Her Name in the Sky

Kelly Quindlen

4.22 AVERAGE

g1nny's review against another edition

3.5

emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

i loved the first half but the end kind of fell off for me.

SPOILER

the email from baker felt out of character and the whole confrontation at clay’s party was just strange. i didn’t feel any motivation behind michele’s actions.

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

5.0

This book wrecked me. I read it in a day because I could not put it down. I had to stop reading because work intervened, but not even reminders of the 8-page paper I have to write could pull me away from this book.

Quindlen has an uncanny ability to write down the emotional turmoil that comes not just from being a queer teenager, but also the very specific hellscape that is coming to terms with your sexuality while studying at a Catholic school. I can see a younger me reflected in her characters. I can see my own Catholic-school students reflected in her characters as well.

This book was particularly brutal because it felt like I lived through many of the exact same experiences Hannah lived through so my heart reverted to feeling these emotions as a seventeen year old human would. It was horrible, but it was also lovely.

Quindlen reads have been consistent 4-star reads for me. There is always something that falls just short of perfect for me. In this book it was

Spoiler

the climactic fight scene and its how Baker was hurt

. However, that one mild objection is dwarfed by my absolute love of how Quindlen described the holiness of the moment when Hannah and Baker first make love. I have read plenty of romances in my life. I have read my fair share of erotica. I have read some well-written sex scenes, but nothing has ever compared to the words Quindlen set on the page to describe how this two beings first loved each other. It was masterful. In a book full of memorable moments, it is what will stay with me about this book. Therefore, regardless of the one scene that did not work for me, I stand by my five-star rating for this one.

livluvslit's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

bek_p87's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful tense 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: Complicated

This hit so close to home, it was basically in my garage. It brought up so many emotions, and ideas that have changed how I think. I loved it, but it was HEAVY, especially as a queer Christian.

Content Warnings

insomniac_radish's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

laz_'s review against another edition

4.0

Hoooo boy. This might be accurately titled Gay Catholic Guilt and Internalized Homophobia: A Love Story. Hits hard but is also really fun. I love Kelly Quindlen and it was awesome to read her debut—I think it definitely shows at times, but by the end I was tearing up and feeling validated by everything she said.