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samgray's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Alcohol
annalea_hines's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-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
4.25
nharrison23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book. It was so good at making me relive being a teenager in the mid 2000s, from the self-important yet confused angst to the absolute necessity of staying up until the early hours of the morning chatting on AIM with the only person who really matters. I struggled a bit with the ending, but it seemed more realistic this way, if a bit unsatisfying.
katieminard's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
norske's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
savvylit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
After September 11th, Fay and Nell are drawn together by a mutual love of theater and an endless need to uncover homoerotic subtext. Fay is brash and abrasive; Nell is shy and earnest. Together they form a duo so strong that most of their peers are surprised when one of them exists without the other.
Idlewild, as a whole, is a queer coming-of-age tale steeped in early 2000s Internet culture. Nell and Fay consistently made me laugh out loud just as often as they broke my heart. Whether it was Nell pining for Fay, or Fay's gender dysphoria, the two protagonists were always painfully sincere and relatable.
Ultimately, I think this novel is for every former teenager who
- chose humor over honesty.
- had a crush on their best friend.
- was terrified of fully realizing their own identity.
- speculated over the sexuality of their classmates.
- was too friendly with their school's faculty.
- had an intense yet short-lived friendship that shaped their life.
Idlewild, as a whole, is a queer coming-of-age tale steeped in early 2000s Internet culture. Nell and Fay consistently made me laugh out loud just as often as they broke my heart. Whether it was Nell pining for Fay, or Fay's gender dysphoria, the two protagonists were always painfully sincere and relatable.
Ultimately, I think this novel is for every former teenager who
- chose humor over honesty.
- had a crush on their best friend.
- was terrified of fully realizing their own identity.
- speculated over the sexuality of their classmates.
- was too friendly with their school's faculty.
- had an intense yet short-lived friendship that shaped their life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
mandykool's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe this book worked so well for me because I was a theatre kid right after 9/11 when everyone had a livejournal and we couldn’t be out as any kind of queer without facing huge backlash. I don’t know.
Recommended by the bookstore, “a room of one’s own” this story is a coming of age tale about two female friends navigating their Quaker school in New York.
Their problems are realistic, the characters are engrossing, and the plot is mesmerizing. This will definitely be a favorite of the year, if not all time. Great book.
Recommended by the bookstore, “a room of one’s own” this story is a coming of age tale about two female friends navigating their Quaker school in New York.
Their problems are realistic, the characters are engrossing, and the plot is mesmerizing. This will definitely be a favorite of the year, if not all time. Great book.
lou_weed's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.25
isarob705's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
claireeshelby's review against another edition
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
3.75
A strong representation of queerness in a seemingly accepting environment. The desire, if not requirement, to be sure of yourself before allowing others the privilege of knowing who you are resonated with me. The two main characters blended together so well that I found it hard to distinguish between them, which was certainly the author‘s intention. Enjoyed but was not enthralled.