Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas

15 reviews

breanneporter's review

dark emotional 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

5.0

I loved this. Idlewild follows two former students of the titular Quaker school in NYC as they became best friends (on 9/11) and explored their queerness over the last year and half of their high school careers. I absolutely adored the sweet anxious young lesbian Nell and was utterly captivated by Fay’s self-exploration. I rushed to finish (staying up way too late to do so) because I couldn’t put it down. The only slight disappointment was the ending:

Fay’s future felt so heartbreakingly bleak. I wanted more for Fay.

But overall it was a gorgeous exploration of queer and trans coming of age in the early aughts and I would highly recommend!!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Racism

terv's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Emotional abuse

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

chefboyavi's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

5.0

Beautifully written, well conceived, and ultimately heartbreaking. I’ve never been more grateful to have gone to public school. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, and Body shaming

Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Classism, Bullying, Drug use, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

dystopia's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Biphobia, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Racism, Fatphobia, and Classism

Minor: War, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Pedophilia

lesbrarycard's review against another edition

challenging funny tense medium-paced

4.5

ooooooh this is so good. truly haven't read anything else like it before and don't think i ever will. Idlewild captures that perfected uneasiness of queerness in the early 2000s, along with the wicked spiral of fandom and obsessive friendship with so much humor and tenderness. i'm going to ruminate on this one forever! 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Racism