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holly1855's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.0
I really enjoyed the writing of this book, the dialogue felt very natural and there was a lot to ponder in the things left unsaid. The absence of quotation marks reminded me of Sally Rooney, who I love, so i vibed with that. The perspective changing in each third of the book really changed my perception of the characters and who I was rooting for as we went (which ended up with me rooting for basically no one in the end except Lydia, Bensons sister). I wish it wrapped up more - the relationship between Benson and Mike is basically in the same exact place the entire book. It was so satisfying when Benson finally went off on his family towards the end, but I wish we got some moment like that between him and Mike. Just left me unsatisfied at the end, but overall I enjoyed the book a lot.
kallmekirby's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it a lot. Loved the ending, I teared up - not totally sure why. The 4 stars is mainly for the style and themes, I didn’t ~love it~
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
I feel pretty torn about this book. On the one hand, the writing is wonderful and compelling--so much so that this is the first time in longer than I can remember that I've read an entire book over the course of one day. Whenever I left it for a while, I was eager to get back to it. Some spoilers to follow.
But for as compelling as I found it, I also thought it was unsatisfactory. Really, when I think about it, the novel is pretty much circular. Benson and Mike's relationship is on the brink at the beginning of the book, and it's still on the brink by the end, and this is entirely due to the fact that neither of them change. I would have liked to see some growth, would have liked something to make me feel like I wanted to see these two overcome their differences, but ultimately I didn't feel that way. They both struck me as pretty lazy about their relationship, so it was hard for me to get behind it.
It was also hard for me to get behind it because it's a toxic relationship. It's bad enough that they mistreat one another and that they carry one behind one another's backs, but it's even worse that they've gotten physical with one another. Yes, relationships have their ups and downs, good times and bad, but I'm always bothered by portrayals of unhealthy relationships like this one.
So, yeah, it's a mixed bag. And I still hate the lack of quotation marks and will forevermore.
But for as compelling as I found it, I also thought it was unsatisfactory. Really, when I think about it, the novel is pretty much circular. Benson and Mike's relationship is on the brink at the beginning of the book, and it's still on the brink by the end, and this is entirely due to the fact that neither of them change. I would have liked to see some growth, would have liked something to make me feel like I wanted to see these two overcome their differences, but ultimately I didn't feel that way. They both struck me as pretty lazy about their relationship, so it was hard for me to get behind it.
It was also hard for me to get behind it because it's a toxic relationship. It's bad enough that they mistreat one another and that they carry one behind one another's backs, but it's even worse that they've gotten physical with one another. Yes, relationships have their ups and downs, good times and bad, but I'm always bothered by portrayals of unhealthy relationships like this one.
So, yeah, it's a mixed bag. And I still hate the lack of quotation marks and will forevermore.
emilymichelle76's review against another edition
challenging
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
janepandamaloy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thepopeinator's review against another edition
i fear i needed some quotation marks
sophievigeant's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pmrichard1's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the writing and generally love this kind of book as a deep insight into characters in a short period of time. Just found it almost anxiety inducing at times because of all of how dysfunctional things were between them!
aviarylyssa's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it, it made me quite emotional, wasn’t super crazy about it though. I wish there was more character development and I think I prefer books that have a bit more of a plot?
baoluong's review against another edition
4.0
one of the most normal relationships i've ever read, maybe that says more about me
As I become older I’ve learned that sometimes relationships end due to very boring reasons. Like you two want to live in different cities. Maybe kids are non-negotiable. Or you just don’t love each other like you used to.
Benson and Mike seem like a stable couple who know each other very throughly. Although, this may be their downfall as they don’t exactly know why they are together anymore. At the start, it was a relationship out of necessity and even passion. But now Mike finds a calling to go back to Japan and confront his abusive father who’s dying of cancer. Benson doesn’t resist and placidly goes along left behind in Texas with Mike’s mother as his new roommate to help cover the rent. The two hardly contact each other throughout and you sometimes forget that this is their journey.
You start to root for Benson to make a stand and finally figure out what he wants in life instead of having other people decide for him. As for Mike, you resent his father but now seeing this old man, you start to forgive him and ultimately forgive yourself for your own anger. It’s a slow decline and the ending is equally anti-climatic. No matter what the two decide, you understand that this is what they think is right because you’ve been inside their heads this whole time. You know their insecurities and what makes them irritated. They’re very fleshed out and complicated.
I personally like their subtle talk about race being that Benson is black and Mike is Japanese. Mike thinks Benson had it slightly easier being born into a middle class family as opposed to being raised by a single mother with an absentee father. Benson thinks Mike had it slightly easier being Asian and not having to deal with as much racial violence in the US. It’s real conversations people have with each other without the pontification and it’s done so well that you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a private conversation. I recommend this book for people who want to slow down.
As I become older I’ve learned that sometimes relationships end due to very boring reasons. Like you two want to live in different cities. Maybe kids are non-negotiable. Or you just don’t love each other like you used to.
Benson and Mike seem like a stable couple who know each other very throughly. Although, this may be their downfall as they don’t exactly know why they are together anymore. At the start, it was a relationship out of necessity and even passion. But now Mike finds a calling to go back to Japan and confront his abusive father who’s dying of cancer. Benson doesn’t resist and placidly goes along left behind in Texas with Mike’s mother as his new roommate to help cover the rent. The two hardly contact each other throughout and you sometimes forget that this is their journey.
You start to root for Benson to make a stand and finally figure out what he wants in life instead of having other people decide for him. As for Mike, you resent his father but now seeing this old man, you start to forgive him and ultimately forgive yourself for your own anger. It’s a slow decline and the ending is equally anti-climatic. No matter what the two decide, you understand that this is what they think is right because you’ve been inside their heads this whole time. You know their insecurities and what makes them irritated. They’re very fleshed out and complicated.
I personally like their subtle talk about race being that Benson is black and Mike is Japanese. Mike thinks Benson had it slightly easier being born into a middle class family as opposed to being raised by a single mother with an absentee father. Benson thinks Mike had it slightly easier being Asian and not having to deal with as much racial violence in the US. It’s real conversations people have with each other without the pontification and it’s done so well that you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a private conversation. I recommend this book for people who want to slow down.