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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Since finishing this book at about 1 AM this morning, I've been trying to put my finger on just what about Hutchinson's writing resonates with me. There's just something about how he handles BIG situations with gravity, but also with a rather low-key perspective. With We Are the Ants, there were ALIENS but somehow, despite them being a major part of the story, they were really merely background characters. Here, the universe is shrinking - and while that's a central theme, it still manages not to dominate this story of personal growth. I also appreciate that while Tommy & Ozzie are gay, it's not their gayness that is a central theme, but rather their feelings towards each other. Indeed, relationships & how they're navigated are the focus here, not what genitalia the participants happen to have. (As a side note, I also really loved how Hutchinson introduced a non-gender-conforming character in this story; Lua adds a pop of vitality & color to what might otherwise be an incredibly bleak world.) I enjoyed the dynamic between Ozzie & Calvin as well as how the Tommy flashbacks so clearly were giving Ozzie a message that he wasn't yet capable of reading until the end. I have thoroughly enjoyed the two Hutchinson books I've read & eagerly look forward to what he puts out in the future.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Blood
i have to say that at the edge of the universe didn't strike the same chord with me as we are the ants, but that by no means means that i disliked the novel. in fact i liked it a lot and finished it despite it being fairly large in a short time. i think maybe it was just that we are the ants had a certain blend of factors that didn't feel as thoroughly blended in this as it did there. however, i still loved its different approach to science-fictiony subjects involving lgbt teens and their already tough lives. it's a theme i appreciate from hutchinson's work. i also have a theory that we are the ants and ateotu are like, directly connected, but im not really gonna go into all that.
dark
emotional
sad
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
I have to admit I read this on a bit of a whim.
I've previously read We Are The Ants by this author and was destroyed by it in the best possible way. But for some reason I haven't gotten around to picking up any of his other books. Possibly self-preservation?
As it turns out, this one definitely hurt, but it was so incredibly worth it. It's been swirling around in my brain since I put it down and I think it's going to be with me for a long time yet.
It's strange. And heartbreaking. And hopeful. And I loved it.
I'm thinking I should move the rest of Hutchinson's books further up my TBR. As soon as I think my heart can take it, that is.
I've previously read We Are The Ants by this author and was destroyed by it in the best possible way. But for some reason I haven't gotten around to picking up any of his other books. Possibly self-preservation?
As it turns out, this one definitely hurt, but it was so incredibly worth it. It's been swirling around in my brain since I put it down and I think it's going to be with me for a long time yet.
It's strange. And heartbreaking. And hopeful. And I loved it.
I'm thinking I should move the rest of Hutchinson's books further up my TBR. As soon as I think my heart can take it, that is.
This was not We Are The Ants, but it was still an interesting read and glad I read it.
I will continue to read from Shaun in the future.
I will continue to read from Shaun in the future.
Shaun David Hutchinson always has the best ways to describe mental illness to those who do not experience it personally. The ups, the downs and all the rolls in between. Thank you for helping people understand mental illness using such unique perspectives.
emotional
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
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes