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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
werk, contemporary queer literary fiction!!!!!! nothing I love more than a lit fic about complicated queer people and our complicated lives. in much the same vein as other faves in this micro-genre (nevada; detransition, baby; dykette; etc) Dinan brings us an endearing and relatable cast of characters. as Max writes in her own poetry, "no person is fewer than two things"--a beautiful statement a la "I contain multitudes" that is, likewise, much more complex to negotiate and understand in practice. I could see the big reveal coming from the start, so it wasn't a surprise, but was still narratively powerful and compelling. this novel explores the interesting stage of an early relationship where you begin to learn more complicated, sometimes unsavory things about your partner's past, and the difficult process of reconciling these truths with your understanding of them. it also explores the idea of what it means to be accountable for our actions, and to change and grow--should we be punished for poor decisions we made as a young person who didn't yet know better? what does it mean to truly take accountability? how do we demonstrate our personal growth and character? what tf is up with so-called "cancel culture?" the audiobook was also excellent, with two narrators alternating Max and Vincent's stories.
challenging
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
An intimate, arresting look at the intricacies of a trans woman’s relationship with a cis man. I was worried I would find our main protagonist too unlikable during the first chapter (and I love an unlikable character), but found myself loving her in all her humanity by the end. I do wonder if the exploration of our mistakes, regrets and ability to forgive (ourselves and others) could have gone a little deeper, but still found it to be a beautiful and heart-wrenching read.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
Actually so good!!! Every character was so well written and complex and just very human. Their thoughts were relatable and the dialogue felt real. Sometimes quick and funny and sometimes very contemplative and emotional. I just felt very engaged through the story. Thought it would be like those books that are more about the character than the journey ya know? Where there’s not a huge plot development but more life moments but this book did have several plot points that I think were carried out very well and kept me questioning how things would play out, but also didn’t distract from I think the main focus being these characters and their thoughts and changes throughout the book.