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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fue un libro hermoso y doloroso a momentos. La identidad, aceptación de uno mismo, y la representación de los pueblos originarios son temas que me gustó mucho ver en este libro, y sobre todo cómo se llevó a cabo.
Tanto Jonathan como Webb son protagonistas con los que uno se encariña rápido: Jonathan es tan incómodo y nervioso, al punto que da ternura, y Web va siempre de frente como si no le tuviera miedo a nada, y los dos se complementan muy bien. Me encantó ver cómo se acercaron, su manera creativa de ver el mundo, y cómo se podían entender sin necesidad de pensar de la misma forma.
Aunque en general no es un libro trágico, tuvo muchas escenas que me hicieron doler el corazón, la mayoría teniendo que ver con la negación de Jonathan de sí mismo, y cómo pensaba (y le habían hecho pensar) que la homosexualidad era una enfermedad. Pero, a pesar de todo, creo que es un final realista, y que no cae en la tragedia, que ya era lo que me venía esperando.
Lo único que no me gustó del libro fue la escritura, que me pareció dolorosa y que a momentos me daba vergüenza ajena al punto que me costaba seguir leyendo.
Tanto Jonathan como Webb son protagonistas con los que uno se encariña rápido: Jonathan es tan incómodo y nervioso, al punto que da ternura, y Web va siempre de frente como si no le tuviera miedo a nada, y los dos se complementan muy bien. Me encantó ver cómo se acercaron, su manera creativa de ver el mundo, y cómo se podían entender sin necesidad de pensar de la misma forma.
Aunque en general no es un libro trágico, tuvo muchas escenas que me hicieron doler el corazón, la mayoría teniendo que ver con la negación de Jonathan de sí mismo, y cómo pensaba (y le habían hecho pensar) que la homosexualidad era una enfermedad. Pero, a pesar de todo, creo que es un final realista, y que no cae en la tragedia, que ya era lo que me venía esperando.
Lo único que no me gustó del libro fue la escritura, que me pareció dolorosa y que a momentos me daba vergüenza ajena al punto que me costaba seguir leyendo.
Wow, this one is going to stay with me for some time. I have to admit it took me quite a few pages to become hooked, partly because there were times when I couldn't tell if he was experiencing a reality induced by drugs, dreams, or possibly hallucinations induced by reactions to the electroshock therapy. And I didn't always get what was happening. But slowly, as Jonathan's and Webb's relationship started developing and I started getting used to the style, I became hooked. This was NOT an easy book to listen to. As you can imagine, electroshock therapy was so painful to hear about. And it was so sad to hear Jonathan talk about his desires as a mental illness. I think I had forgotten that homosexuality was on the DSM until 1973, so it was both horrifying and interesting to see it used in this book. This book was narrated by Tom Picasso and he was the perfect voice for this. I thought he brought Jonathan to life and when he spoke in Hal's voice, I just wanted to shrink away and/or punch him in the face.
This was NOT an easy book to read and if you're triggered by homophobia, internalized homophobia, racism, attempted sexual assault/pedophilia, and electroshock therapy, you may want to give this book a pass. But I fell in love with Jonathan and Webb, and I also loved Webb's family and learning about the Indian Two-spirits. And as much as it was not easy to read about, I'm glad I was reminded of how much of a shift it was when they finally removed homosexuality from the DSM. And the ending was not perfect, but it was hopeful, and I teared up for him with happiness. I could have done without as much of the metaphorical/metaphysical stuff, mostly because I didn't truly "get it" but I am really glad I gave this book a try.
Of course, now I need to go listen to some David Bowie, especially Starman.
This was NOT an easy book to read and if you're triggered by homophobia, internalized homophobia, racism, attempted sexual assault/pedophilia, and electroshock therapy, you may want to give this book a pass. But I fell in love with Jonathan and Webb, and I also loved Webb's family and learning about the Indian Two-spirits. And as much as it was not easy to read about, I'm glad I was reminded of how much of a shift it was when they finally removed homosexuality from the DSM. And the ending was not perfect, but it was hopeful, and I teared up for him with happiness. I could have done without as much of the metaphorical/metaphysical stuff, mostly because I didn't truly "get it" but I am really glad I gave this book a try.
Of course, now I need to go listen to some David Bowie, especially Starman.
This book was a challenge to read, I'll be honest. The emotions throughout were so strong and relatable that I struggled to make it through. But it was worth it, this book is worth the read, it's worth the discomfort and pain. Showing the history of abuse and mistreatment of people who are different, whether that be indigenous peoples, queer people, or those who are just difficult to understand.
I grew alongside Jonathan. I celebrated his victories and strength, and wept alongside him.
I grew alongside Jonathan. I celebrated his victories and strength, and wept alongside him.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Sexual harassment
between the characters of color only having the comeback “youre white” when said “white boys” were calling them EVERY RACIAL SLUR KNOWN TO MAN and the cringey “look at me, this isn’t you” trope, this book was kinda hard to finish.
i realized two things:
1. i hate contemporary books
2. white authors need to be stopped
i realized two things:
1. i hate contemporary books
2. white authors need to be stopped
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. It does a great job of immersing the story in the 70s. Jonathan and Webb and well-rounded characters, but all the others fall back. For these two characters it’s a strong story. Unfortunately, that doesn’t carry over to the other characters. This book was good, but couldn’t quite push to the five stars because all the secondary aspects felt a little weak. I do recommend it, though. It has a lot of good aspects. In particular, I appreciated the look at queer psychology and its history.
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
El libro está etiquetado como triste y pensé "sí, esto es para mi", pero estaba muy equivocada.
Sacando a un lado el hecho de que el libro tiene demasiadas referencias a David Bowie, (a quien solo conozco de nombre), me sentí super perdida. Creo que el libro sería bacán para alguien que sea fan, pero no es por esto que le doy dos estrellas, es la historia en sí.
Cuando iba en 40% de lectura tenía la sensación de que no pasaba nada y eso hizo que tuviera 0 interés en la historia romántica. Siento que Jonathan se enamoró de Web en días y que sufriera y lo extrañara tanto se me hacía muy difícil de creer porque a mi punto de vista no existía una conexión real.
Sí me gustó el final. Lo sentí real. El padre no cambió su forma de pensar (al menos al momento de terminar el libro, porque creo que alguien con pensamientos homofóbicos no los cambia de la noche a la mañana). Y la doctora después de mucho tiempo de trabajo con Jonathan y de investigación, al fin acepta que la homosexualidad no es una enfermedad, lo que hace que Jonathan al fin se libere.
La historia no es mala, de hecho, creo que es uno de los libros más interesantes que he leído, en cuanto a hechos, las personas del alrededor, ya sean familiares, amigos o conocidos, solo que no me convenció nada la relación amorosa.
Sacando a un lado el hecho de que el libro tiene demasiadas referencias a David Bowie, (a quien solo conozco de nombre), me sentí super perdida. Creo que el libro sería bacán para alguien que sea fan, pero no es por esto que le doy dos estrellas, es la historia en sí.
Cuando iba en 40% de lectura tenía la sensación de que no pasaba nada y eso hizo que tuviera 0 interés en la historia romántica. Siento que Jonathan se enamoró de Web en días y que sufriera y lo extrañara tanto se me hacía muy difícil de creer porque a mi punto de vista no existía una conexión real.
Sí me gustó el final. Lo sentí real. El padre no cambió su forma de pensar (al menos al momento de terminar el libro, porque creo que alguien con pensamientos homofóbicos no los cambia de la noche a la mañana). Y la doctora después de mucho tiempo de trabajo con Jonathan y de investigación, al fin acepta que la homosexualidad no es una enfermedad, lo que hace que Jonathan al fin se libere.
La historia no es mala, de hecho, creo que es uno de los libros más interesantes que he leído, en cuanto a hechos, las personas del alrededor, ya sean familiares, amigos o conocidos, solo que no me convenció nada la relación amorosa.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one is a tough read. I had to pause for a while in the middle, but managed to power through one sad patch to make it to many more tense and sad moments.
There was a real 'wowie zowie' Paul Zindel-esque quality to this book set in the summer of 1973. I would be interested to hear what younger audiences thought about that aspect of the book. (Especially as I don't think many kids these days are reading Zindel.)
I did cry a couple times; it's really hard not to. Jonathan is in a real tough situation, and meeting Web, his love interest, only makes it tougher. Web is Native American and we get a lot about that, much of it being slurs from white townsfolk, which is hard to read, though no doubt how it was.
Definitely check out the content warnings for this book before reading it, to make sure you're in the right frame of mind.
There was a real 'wowie zowie' Paul Zindel-esque quality to this book set in the summer of 1973. I would be interested to hear what younger audiences thought about that aspect of the book. (Especially as I don't think many kids these days are reading Zindel.)
I did cry a couple times; it's really hard not to. Jonathan is in a real tough situation, and meeting Web, his love interest, only makes it tougher. Web is Native American and we get a lot about that, much of it being slurs from white townsfolk, which is hard to read, though no doubt how it was.
Definitely check out the content warnings for this book before reading it, to make sure you're in the right frame of mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical trauma
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Death of parent