Reviews

Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell

hayleykriegs's review against another edition

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funny reflective 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

2.75

An interesting story about characters who are unlike the ones in other books I read. BUT the writing definitely is lacking in my opinion. Aspects of the story are either told through layers of sarcasm and jokes or are just plainly said. It’s lacking artistry for me. Feels a bit like someone took a few short stories and jammed them into a novel. The only reason this is getting the score it gets is because I think it’s great at delving into the complexity of disability. 

smsadeee's review against another edition

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3.0

This book left me with mixed feelings. It fell somewhere in the middle like not exceptional but not disappointing either. The writing style felt too fragile for my liking honestly

davidmp20's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.5

rucsandra's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

john_the_captain's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved this book, if you have seen the series on Netflix called Special, it's more of the same. Well worth reading. Available FREE in all Irish Libraries

jordanh's review against another edition

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1.0

This book cover is way too beautiful to be on a book this terrible

It might be partially my fault, I never look into the content of books before wearing them because normally I don't care much about super mature content or whatever, but oh my god there was way too much sex in this I did not enjoy the amount of graphic sex scenes in this at all. SO much like an insane amount like way too much why did there need to be that much? 

I also probably would have realized this would not be my type of book at all if I had been aware of who the author was beforehand, because I watched one season of his netflix show and my god it was not for me. 

The humor in this was AWFUL phrases like "loling on the inside", "all the feels", "fronds - like friends but more fun to say", a ton of phrases just like that are what this book so intolerable, and the fact that the author narrates it and does so in the most insufferable way possible, it makes the experience so much worse. God this was awful. It was cringey and annoying and terrible and I hated it so much. Awful. Worst book I've read so far this year. Terrible. Bad. Why is the cover so beautiful when the content inside is so awful?? I am so glad I didn't spend any money on this 

readingwmiles's review against another edition

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5.0

this was perfect. one of the best depictions of disability i’ve ever read

fallcherries's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

emilybolivia's review against another edition

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3.75

This books was so much more heartfelt, raw, and introspective than I was expecting with all the blurbs about how funny it is. The disability rep is so spot on. I just wish Elliot had gone through his awakening with a therapist.

joohd_73's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

This book got me out of a reading slump, so it has that going for it! I think it’s a good read, pretty much in the middle of the scale for me. Not my favorite, not the worst.