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islamaunder21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
- The ending really made this book for me. This is a raw and unflinching depiction of life as a disabled gay man as well as sex work, addiction, relationships and unlikely friendships. It refuses to fall into and even actively challenges tropes of innocent victimhood nor sugar-coat the protagonist's flaws, internal and external ableism, or mental/physical pain. Simultaneously, the first person narrative voice, as told through Elliot's eyes, is campy, humorous and bitchy even in the difficult moments and we are made to gradually warm to him more and more, even rooting for and empathising with him despite him initially coming across as being quite unlikeable. Whilst I found that for the most part the beginning/first half of the novel didn't really hit for me, I felt myself getting pulled into the story as Elliot became more self-reflective and open, even seeing his poor choices at the expense of others through a newly compassionate light.
- Whilst at times emotional, this novel does not shy away from explicit sex scenes lol, I found it hilarious listening to descriptions of sex positions and acts whilst shopping for groceries in my local corner shop and doing my washing up.
Also I never thought I would choke up at a sex scene but the final chapter got to me as I found it so beautiful and moving to witness Elliot feel finally fully seen and understood, and intimacy is reclaimed as something much more profound than simply physical satisfaction - I found some of the ''reflective'' moments in the book which were commentating on social issues and injustices to be a bit too basic and unnecessary whilst they of course made very valid and important points. I think rather than being told what to think as readers, these issues might have been inferred through witnessing the characters, narrative and Elliot's own internal dialogue.
- Also this is probably because I'm not an LA gurl but whilst some of the humour landed, other parts of the narrative style were a bit cheesy for me and I didn't get all of the references.
- All in all I found this is be a moving and empowering book which explores the co- existence of disability and sexuality as being not at odds with one another but just as multifaceted and nuanced as that of able bodied individuals, albeit in both similar and different ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
sweetsimplenothing's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Medical content, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Dysphoria
hannah_lilli's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
kia_y_k's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual content, Drug use, Infidelity, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Drug abuse
destiny106's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Body shaming
schnurln's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Eating disorder
criticalgayze's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My thanks to Atria Books for both a digital copy of this book through Netgalley and a physical copy for review consideration.
Let me start this review with a readerly tip: When an author tells you how to read their book, listen to them.
I started this one in little snippets when I could get them during off time at a conference, and I was really not vibing with the book at all. I found it forced and inauthentic. When I got home, I sat with it for a more concentrated window, and I found myself vibing with it and genuinely enjoyed the storytelling. That's when a lightbulb went off in my head, and I realized, "Oh, O'Connell wrote short chapters on purpose to propel the reader, and this is a story that's meant to be devoured." So take my advice and binge read this book.
This book is really funny and full of a lot of charm. It is clear why O'Connell's storytelling in shows like Special and Queer As Folk has been so endearing to audiences. Also, as July is Disability Pride Month, I think it's important to highlight the important anti-ableist messaging he shoves in here. Make sure you are always confronting the biases you've internalized.
My one gripe with the book is that it gets a little overly earnest at the end. I get that it is very important to confront your addictions and divorce yourself from enabling relationships. However, at the risk of sounding like an alcoholic, the staunch sobriety message that O'Connell takes us on to round out this narrative feels a tad preachy.
TL;DR - A tad over-earnest, but incredibly charming
Quotes:
How strange that we can saw off certain parts of ourselves, so we remain confident in one area, an area that is challenging for other, only to feel completely honest in another. (42)
I depended on the validation of my coworkers, and when I didn't get that, it threw me off my axis and took away my superpower, which is disarming people and winning their approval. If I wasn't the laser-focused perfectionist perpetually triumphing over something, who was I? (126)
Devon never became a successful writer, but he does ad copy in Portland and lives with his husband, named Jarrett. We follow each other on Instagram. Last week I "liked" a picture of him kayaking, and he wrote, "congrats!" on an Instagram post about my career. What can I say? Modern life is hell. (149)
I'm learning the more you want things, the more likely you end up with nothing. (197)
Let me start this review with a readerly tip: When an author tells you how to read their book, listen to them.
I started this one in little snippets when I could get them during off time at a conference, and I was really not vibing with the book at all. I found it forced and inauthentic. When I got home, I sat with it for a more concentrated window, and I found myself vibing with it and genuinely enjoyed the storytelling. That's when a lightbulb went off in my head, and I realized, "Oh, O'Connell wrote short chapters on purpose to propel the reader, and this is a story that's meant to be devoured." So take my advice and binge read this book.
This book is really funny and full of a lot of charm. It is clear why O'Connell's storytelling in shows like Special and Queer As Folk has been so endearing to audiences. Also, as July is Disability Pride Month, I think it's important to highlight the important anti-ableist messaging he shoves in here. Make sure you are always confronting the biases you've internalized.
My one gripe with the book is that it gets a little overly earnest at the end. I get that it is very important to confront your addictions and divorce yourself from enabling relationships. However, at the risk of sounding like an alcoholic, the staunch sobriety message that O'Connell takes us on to round out this narrative feels a tad preachy.
TL;DR - A tad over-earnest, but incredibly charming
Quotes:
How strange that we can saw off certain parts of ourselves, so we remain confident in one area, an area that is challenging for other, only to feel completely honest in another. (42)
I depended on the validation of my coworkers, and when I didn't get that, it threw me off my axis and took away my superpower, which is disarming people and winning their approval. If I wasn't the laser-focused perfectionist perpetually triumphing over something, who was I? (126)
Devon never became a successful writer, but he does ad copy in Portland and lives with his husband, named Jarrett. We follow each other on Instagram. Last week I "liked" a picture of him kayaking, and he wrote, "congrats!" on an Instagram post about my career. What can I say? Modern life is hell. (149)
I'm learning the more you want things, the more likely you end up with nothing. (197)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use and Drug abuse
spookieboogie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Dysphoria, Ableism, and Infidelity
Minor: Drug abuse, Body shaming, Misogyny, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
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