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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
while reading this book I originally thought "wow..... this is one of the most ridiculous books I've ever read....." and I was originally thinking I would end up giving it one star.... but somewhere along the line the story grew on me... and though I still find it disturbing and extremely weird I can also appreciate the creativeness behind it.....It's definitely one of those books that you just have to read for yourself....
When I started reading this book, I didn’t have much expectations. But it was surprisingly good. It evoked mixed emotions in me, and I find this story to be someone’s everyday reality. Very disturbing and worth reading.
even more than the heart is deceitful above all things, this book was grossly sexual in content. it was extremely graphic and quite disturbing.
If you are OK with mature subject matter, I recommend this book. If you're not used to it, it will test you. I'm giving it three stars, but that might change upward.
I'll have to let it marinate for a while before I really know what I think. I read it after watching the documentary about the persona JT LeRoy and Author Laura Albert. I was curious if the book was up to the hype and celebrity interest surrounding JT LeRoy.
About the purported hoax, Albert remarks in the documentary Author: the JT LeRoy Story "It says fiction on the cover, the rest is extra." There was a lot of "extra," but all that was only tangential to the book.
So what about the book itself? It was well written and engaging. It was also quite rough in places, which wasn't unexpected, but once the stage was set it turned into being about more than what was on its face. I especially enjoyed some of the use of biblical characters and themes as reference points.
I'll have to let it marinate for a while before I really know what I think. I read it after watching the documentary about the persona JT LeRoy and Author Laura Albert. I was curious if the book was up to the hype and celebrity interest surrounding JT LeRoy.
About the purported hoax, Albert remarks in the documentary Author: the JT LeRoy Story "It says fiction on the cover, the rest is extra." There was a lot of "extra," but all that was only tangential to the book.
So what about the book itself? It was well written and engaging. It was also quite rough in places, which wasn't unexpected, but once the stage was set it turned into being about more than what was on its face. I especially enjoyed some of the use of biblical characters and themes as reference points.
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
this book was extremely sad. i think it’s a good representation of how familial trauma can cause such deep damage, but that doesn’t mean it removes the love we have for those who have hurt us. the descriptive writing in this book really put me in the setting, i felt real anxiety and sadness for lots of the characters, even those i didn’t like overall. i really wished for a better ending for the main character, but it makes sense that there wasn’t one in this case. many people working in this industry were never given a fair chance to experience a less dangerous life before entrapment or addiction pulls them down forever, and though it shouldn’t be that way, it’s important to acknowledge that reality alongside the often positive scenery or experiences described in this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse
Say what you will about the controversy surrounding the whole "JT LeRoy" thing, but I liked this book quite a bit. It had that weird, dark, funny, mystical, fractured undercurrent that is my favorite part about William S. Burroughs, it had a touch of magic to it, and the author really had the power to make you understand the sexuality of something you will (God willing) never Know (in the Biblical sense). It was also extremely short, which I think was very appropriate given the subject matter. And I bring this up for two reasons:
1. It's no secret: I like a quick read.
2. In the same way that I am in fact HAPPY to know that this is NOT a semi-autobiographical story of a Mr. JT LeRoy (I really don't want any children working as sex slaves, if you can believe it - sorry to all of you that were personally offended to find out that fiction is fictitious), I also don't need this story drawn out any longer than it was. I get it. I don't need anything more graphic, either. I get it.
So I say great job, and good times. This book sticks with you for all the right reasons, and it demands to be finished once you start it (besides being engaging, there are no chapter breaks). So check it out! It definitely doesn't belong on lists such as "Books I'd Rather Die Than Read," or whatever else people are wasting their time with. Just read it! It ain't gonna kill ya.
1. It's no secret: I like a quick read.
2. In the same way that I am in fact HAPPY to know that this is NOT a semi-autobiographical story of a Mr. JT LeRoy (I really don't want any children working as sex slaves, if you can believe it - sorry to all of you that were personally offended to find out that fiction is fictitious), I also don't need this story drawn out any longer than it was. I get it. I don't need anything more graphic, either. I get it.
So I say great job, and good times. This book sticks with you for all the right reasons, and it demands to be finished once you start it (besides being engaging, there are no chapter breaks). So check it out! It definitely doesn't belong on lists such as "Books I'd Rather Die Than Read," or whatever else people are wasting their time with. Just read it! It ain't gonna kill ya.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes