Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

2 reviews

takarakei's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Initially read this back in high school (like when it came out, I'm old). I remember being obsessed with it back then and I can see why. As an adult it was a LOT more angsty than I remembered. Also, the characters are very different from the movie if you've ever seen that. I actually prefer the extreme teen angst to the rather shy and socially-awkward Nick and Norah in the movie. For nostalgia factor + .25 stars.
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davidbythebay's review

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

2.0

I had... problems. First, as stated in numerous other reviews here, I too felt the sentence enhancing f-words in nearly every other sentence (or every sentence in one chapter's opening) was a bit gratuitous. I don't mind the word and use it enough in my own life. This was just too much. Second, these kids are running about NYC with such nonchalance and with parents that don't seem to mind such late night escapades and underage drinking. Third, the entirety of Norah's constant "is Nick gay or straight" got annoying. I was absolutely disgusted, as a gay man in 2022, to hear "No Mo" so many times! I despise the "no homo" bull that some people throw around even today and I loathe that term as well. It's homophobic and it comes across that way, even with LGBTQ characters in the story! Granted, they are on the sidelines most of the time, but they are there! Finally, the romance started as a ploy and it just sat unengrossingly like a lead balloon. Yes, there is some development there I guess, but it was not anything compelling. This is the rare occasion where the movie was better - though I haven't seen it in many years now, so that opinion may change as well. Some movie scenes, mostly the ones that make it memorable and keep that positive image in my mind, were here in the book and, if my memory is correct, we're basically word for word. The Beatles come to mind the most. I absolutely loved Levithan's Two Boys Kissing. I had high hopes here, but was let down by this collaboration. I haven't given up on him yet, though. It only gets 2 unfortunate stars because of the few moments that lifted this out of 1 star - the moments when there was an actual idea or concept being explored if only too briefly. 
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