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tesz's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? N/A
4.5
20/9
I’ve come back to this review a few months after reading this book because I just can’t stop thinking about it.
I actually love this book.
The writing is actually really beautiful and the descriptions of the landscape and sea in some parts of the novel were so atmospheric. Theres something about placing vulnerable, hurting characters amongst an environment that should be beautiful out of context that just make my heart ache.
I previously gave this novel three (which will explain my following thoughts, which I wrote just after finishing).
12/8
Don’t get me wrong, this story was written well. And it was a very important story to tell, which is why I find it difficult to review because it wasn’t enjoyable either? But then I reminded myself that that is the whole point - its a very difficult topic (religion and sexuality) that shouldn’t be written with an enjoyable intension. But it was so freaking annoying to reaaaaddd. There was some beautiful prose, and I really admire the author tackling a subject that is definitely overlooked in our society today (many assume that lgbt discrimination is mostly ‘gone’ because of how ‘accepting’ our time is, without factoring in the other places around the world that have different cultures and ideas).
Despite the book being relatively long, I felt that there were gaps in characters and don’t feel as if I was really able to know the protagonist to the extent I would have like to.
One thing that I did find really well done in this novel was that even after the character, Hannah, went through so much discrimination within her catholic community, she didn’t give up on her religion once she felt comfortable within herself and her sexuality. The author, Kelly Quindlen, did really well in articulating the protagonists journey towards realising that her queer love and religion don’t have to be seperate parts of her identity. A section that really shows this is when Hannah looks at herself naked in the mirror and looks at her reflection without shame but rather with admiration of who she is:
“And this neck- this neck that has leaned forward so she could pray over a chair, that has tilted back so she could see the heavens, that has turned to the side so she could hide from her demons, that have propelled her forward so she could kiss a girl.”
overall I’m glad I read this book, even though some parts I felt like throwing it at a wall.
I’ve come back to this review a few months after reading this book because I just can’t stop thinking about it.
I actually love this book.
The writing is actually really beautiful and the descriptions of the landscape and sea in some parts of the novel were so atmospheric. Theres something about placing vulnerable, hurting characters amongst an environment that should be beautiful out of context that just make my heart ache.
I previously gave this novel three (which will explain my following thoughts, which I wrote just after finishing).
12/8
Don’t get me wrong, this story was written well. And it was a very important story to tell, which is why I find it difficult to review because it wasn’t enjoyable either? But then I reminded myself that that is the whole point - its a very difficult topic (religion and sexuality) that shouldn’t be written with an enjoyable intension. But it was so freaking annoying to reaaaaddd. There was some beautiful prose, and I really admire the author tackling a subject that is definitely overlooked in our society today (many assume that lgbt discrimination is mostly ‘gone’ because of how ‘accepting’ our time is, without factoring in the other places around the world that have different cultures and ideas).
Despite the book being relatively long, I felt that there were gaps in characters and don’t feel as if I was really able to know the protagonist to the extent I would have like to.
One thing that I did find really well done in this novel was that even after the character, Hannah, went through so much discrimination within her catholic community, she didn’t give up on her religion once she felt comfortable within herself and her sexuality. The author, Kelly Quindlen, did really well in articulating the protagonists journey towards realising that her queer love and religion don’t have to be seperate parts of her identity.
“And this neck- this neck that has leaned forward so she could pray over a chair, that has tilted back so she could see the heavens, that has turned to the side so she could hide from her demons, that have propelled her forward so she could kiss a girl.”
overall I’m glad I read this book, even though some parts I felt like throwing it at a wall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Religious bigotry
aurora12's review
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Outing, and Religious bigotry
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