Scan barcode
sonaea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
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
3.5
Okay. So. This book kind of threw me back a few years to when I was in school and gay was still used as a slur and all that. Because that's what happens in this book. Gay is used as a slur. Fat is set as equal to bad and unattractive. And then these prejudices are destroyed. Because the characters are gay and/or fat. And they're still great. And I like the way it's done within the story. The prejudices aren't perpetuated but rather shown as real-life issues that have an effect on people's lives, whether good or bad. It's well done but all that doesn't change the fact that at the beginning I was very thrown off, thrust back into a world I'd left behind where every sentence someone said was like a punch to the face. So, yeah. Be careful with that <3
I didn't like the beginning too much, because of those reasons and also because the characters need to grow on the reader as they're very peculiar. However, the further I got into the book, the more I liked it and especially the end was goosebump-worthy (My rating for the start: 3 stars, and for the end: 4.5 stars).
There are two issues that I did not like, however. And they're not resolved. They don't take front center of the story but are more of a side note, however I still want to talk about them here: (very slight spoiler, kind of tws, slight ones though)
First one: David Levithan's Will Grayson has fish. And he say's he's really bad at taking care of them and they all die under his care. Uh. Dude. Did u notice what u just said? Why the heck would you buy animals if you know you are going to kill them?! That seems very much like animal cruelty to me.
Second one: Tiny. He's described as severely overweight. But he's also described as eating very much and also not the healthiest stuff. And that's fine, I guess. He says he likes his body and for sure he's allowed to be and eat what he wants. And the issue I have here might just be me and I think it probably is okay to write characters like that, but it's just really annoying when all overweight characters are the ones that always eat. Because as far as I can say from my life experience, that's not the case. Everyone's different and some people have weight just like that and some people eat a whole lot who just don't gain weight. (though I have to give props that Tiny seems to be the only (important) character that does sport and still weighs a lot while the others don't seem to do any sport and still don't gain weight). But yeah, to make it short: I was annoyed that it was always him eating a lot and never anyone else because it seems many people seem to think that people just gain weight because they eat a lot and are too lazy to go on a diet. Which is for sure sometimes the case. But it really isn't as prevalent and/or easy as people make it out to be.
Still, was a nice book. I probably should have read it earlier in life though. Also, check the content warnings!
I didn't like the beginning too much, because of those reasons and also because the characters need to grow on the reader as they're very peculiar. However, the further I got into the book, the more I liked it and especially the end was goosebump-worthy (My rating for the start: 3 stars, and for the end: 4.5 stars).
There are two issues that I did not like, however. And they're not resolved. They don't take front center of the story but are more of a side note, however I still want to talk about them here: (very slight spoiler, kind of tws, slight ones though)
Second one: Tiny. He's described as severely overweight. But he's also described as eating very much and also not the healthiest stuff. And that's fine, I guess. He says he likes his body and for sure he's allowed to be and eat what he wants. And the issue I have here might just be me and I think it probably is okay to write characters like that, but it's just really annoying when all overweight characters are the ones that always eat. Because as far as I can say from my life experience, that's not the case. Everyone's different and some people have weight just like that and some people eat a whole lot who just don't gain weight. (though I have to give props that Tiny seems to be the only (important) character that does sport and still weighs a lot while the others don't seem to do any sport and still don't gain weight). But yeah, to make it short: I was annoyed that it was always him eating a lot and never anyone else because it seems many people seem to think that people just gain weight because they eat a lot and are too lazy to go on a diet. Which is for sure sometimes the case. But it really isn't as prevalent and/or easy as people make it out to be.
Still, was a nice book. I probably should have read it earlier in life though. Also, check the content warnings!
abbyl819's review
4.0
This book surprised me, I liked it a lot more than I though I would. I loved the dynamics of the many relationships throughout the book. I especially liked the scene where we get to see Will Grayson and his dad's relationship. I loved the ending to the book, it was surprising and really cute and I think that it ended in a really good spot.
knuckledown's review
4.0
I became a John Green fan in 2011, yet somehow I let three years pass before reading this book. Was I turned off by the presence of a co-author? Could be, but I shouldn’t have been. This is the hilarious story of worlds colliding when two Chicago teens named Will Grayson meet. Each author writes chapters from the perspective of one of them. Although I found John Green’s chapters more appealing initially, I soon became interested in both characters, especially at hints that the two storylines would soon intersect. And really, if one Will Grayson has a physically imposing gay friend named Tiny Cooper, who happens to be writing a musical autobiography, you’ve captured this girl’s attention.
Read more (often longer) reviews on my blog: Courtney Coherent
Read more (often longer) reviews on my blog: Courtney Coherent
dunder_mifflin's review against another edition
5.0
i really enjoyed this book, i just sat down and read the whole thing tonight and i couldn't stop.
since i'm gay as hell and constantly falling in love with people i relate a lot to tiny, and since i'm not of sound mental health i also relate to lowercase will grayson a lot too also i like gay people and there were lots of gay people. no lesbians though which was disappointing, maybe i should take half a star away...
nah i'm kidding but note to all authors: lesbians make everything better
since i'm gay as hell and constantly falling in love with people i relate a lot to tiny, and since i'm not of sound mental health i also relate to lowercase will grayson a lot too also i like gay people and there were lots of gay people. no lesbians though which was disappointing, maybe i should take half a star away...
nah i'm kidding but note to all authors: lesbians make everything better
akookieforyou's review
4.0
"i am constantly torn between killing myself and everyone around me"
I went into this book with fairly high expectations. At the time, I had only read one John Green book, The Fault in Our Stars, and I absolutely adored it. This story, however, left something to be desired.
I far preferred David Levithan's half of the book to John Green's. Which is pretty surprising considering I hadn't read anything else of David's at the time. I think his Will was much more relatable, funny, and just plain interesting. I actually found myself skimming John's parts just to get back to David's. I also don't really see the point of this collaboration in the first place. Their stories barely intersect with each other, they might as well be separate books. If I had to give each half a rating, I'd give John's a 3 star, and David's a 4.5 to 5 star.
I went into this book with fairly high expectations. At the time, I had only read one John Green book, The Fault in Our Stars, and I absolutely adored it. This story, however, left something to be desired.
I far preferred David Levithan's half of the book to John Green's. Which is pretty surprising considering I hadn't read anything else of David's at the time. I think his Will was much more relatable, funny, and just plain interesting. I actually found myself skimming John's parts just to get back to David's. I also don't really see the point of this collaboration in the first place. Their stories barely intersect with each other, they might as well be separate books. If I had to give each half a rating, I'd give John's a 3 star, and David's a 4.5 to 5 star.
novaturient_bibliophile's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
What was so compelling about this book was that, going into it, you figure that the story is going to be about the Wills. But, no, it’s about Tiny, and—by extension—love in all its forms. There was no shortage of John Green’s classic life-altering lines, but what was even more pronounced was the musical-esque drama and grand-sentimental-finale. I also think that the distinct stylistic choices between the Wills was a genius move.
Despite all of these compliments, though, the book did contain a lot of questionable lines and overall dull moments.
Regardless, this book really motivated me to keep reading. For the past few days, I could not put it down. I think this was primarily because the book was, in general, a light-hearted and easy read.
This reminded me of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, and Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherine’s by John Green.
Despite all of these compliments, though, the book did contain a lot of questionable lines and overall dull moments.
Regardless, this book really motivated me to keep reading. For the past few days, I could not put it down. I think this was primarily because the book was, in general, a light-hearted and easy read.
This reminded me of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, and Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherine’s by John Green.
gillianw's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I liked this book, I really did. I would have *loved* this book back in high school, but I think liking it is the most I can muster up right now. It's escapist YA at it's finest, but with a pinch too much sugar than I generally prefer. Tiny was wonderful, though and the lyrics for his most unlikely high school musical ever were pretty damn hilarious.
I liked this book, I really did. I would have *loved* this book back in high school, but I think liking it is the most I can muster up right now. It's escapist YA at it's finest, but with a pinch too much sugar than I generally prefer. Tiny was wonderful, though and the lyrics for his most unlikely high school musical ever were pretty damn hilarious.
rosiep08's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.75