Reviews

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

ashleycvirga's review against another edition

3.0

You can’t write about the AIDs epidemic without a significant Lesbian character. There were three vague references to lesbians… “two dykes kissing” but not one mention of their pivotal support in these events. Otherwise this would have been a five star read for me.

sallyscriv's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

klbroderick's review against another edition

4.0

you need some patience with this book but please please keep reading- once you’re in, you’re in.
this book is heartbreaking yet inspiring— so so so good i cant say enough good things about it

sarahmariaq's review

sad

emilyheltzel's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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? It's complicated

5.0

emilyb_chicago's review against another edition

4.0

This is exactly what a fantastic book club book should be - lots of history to delve into as a group or individually, lots of characters to love or hate, big decisions to debate and lots of feels across the board.

This was as intense as one might expect from a book that flashes back to the AIDS crisis in the 80s. The writing was fantastic, the characters were engaging and I adored some of them so much I wanted to be living in their world with them. However, that made it harder to read through because I knew the ending couldn't be happy for some of these people - especially as the 2015 aspect of the story progressed and we got glimpses of the future that the 1980s story line didn't yet know. The horrors of AIDS in the 80s were not glossed over but also were not given in such detail that it was too overwhelming to continue. I sobbed at the end and while I'll never read this again, I'll definitely recommend it.

I didn't like Fiona and I loved Yale despite himself.

nrichtsmeier's review

challenging sad 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? No

5.0

sarah_readinglog's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

khandle3's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

this novel is a portrait of love

eleanorcats's review against another edition

5.0

I think this was super impressed with how well this author towed the line of appropriation and ally ship. This was a huge reminder of how AIDS effects people all around the world even today. It’s a bit of a dense read only because it’s emotionally heavy. Left feeling hopeful - onwards and upwards.
Generational trauma amongst chosen family discussed so well