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emmakingleberry's review against another edition
5.0
This book is much much more than any one component, plot, narrative style, diverse representation, themes, but taken as a collective, this book is a stunning portrait of two individuals. The relationship between Benson and Mike is complex, seemingly destined to fail, but representative of relationships often not understood by anyone on the outside (except in this case, maybe Mitsuko). The unlikely series of events that lead Ben and Mitsuko to spending time circling the same apartment together, and the development of their relationship is magical. Mike and his father accepting the other for who they have become after nearly two decades apart is beautiful. The scenes of Mike floating through the streets of his father's neighborhood, and his father's bar, seemed dreamlike. The real magic in this book is the author's ability to capture complex emotional sentiments in clear and beautiful language. There is no fluff, but the emotional character of both Ben and Mike is developed through stories told from both perspectives. Despite their struggling relationship and near constant fights, there is no resentment and mostly love. A truly beautiful story of two men, and their two families, coming together at least for the duration of the story.
signorponza's review against another edition
4.0
Mike e Benson. La loro storia, raccontata da due prospettive diverse. Mike ha origini giapponesi, Benson è nero. Convivono, ma la loro relazione va avanti ormai con qualche incertezza, anzi forse più di qualcuna. Il loro mondo viene scosso dall’arrivo della madre di Mike prima e, subito dopo, dalla partenza di quest’ultimo in direzione Giappone: il padre sta infatti morendo e lui prende la (difficile?) decisione di abbandonare il compagno nella loro casa di Houston insieme a sua madre, senza che i due si conoscessero già. Ho amato molto questo libro soprattutto per la capacità di Bryan Washington di mescolare con sapienza ingredienti diversi (non a caso, si parla spesso anche di cucina): una narrazione dolce e spesso anche amara; uno stile non semplice, ma molto contemporaneo; una riflessione sull’andamento delle relazioni e dei sentimenti in cui molte persone possono riconoscersi; il racconto di dinamiche familiari tanto divertenti e tragiche, quanto anche queste molto comuni. Una lettura davvero piacevole.
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Questa e altre recensioni nella mia newsletter mensile sui libri: https://bit.ly/ponzabook
itsheyfay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Death, Racism, Death of parent, Grief, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Cancer, Homophobia, Alcohol, Classism, and Fatphobia
lalala_rich_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nada82's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
dreyspringle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
endraia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
bookish_alone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I don't think I connected to this as much as I was supposed to be. But liked it though. Also Benson says "I/she/he didn't say shit" just an observation.
audcan's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Beautifully written but painful