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charlottereadsthings's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One theme of this story that I haven't been able to shake is the devestating notion of wasted/lost time. Just the idea of "if only this thing was different then imagine what my life could have been."
My Policeman is split into two timelines: Marian talking to present day Patrick about how she met Tom and all their adventures together as a trio in the past, and Patrick's diary entries from the time. While very much infuriating, I find Marian a very complex and interesting character, so it was interesting to see those gaps from the film filled in by getting a deeper insight into her perspective of the world and the situations she finds herself in.
I wish there was more of Patrick's diaries as I found those sections the most enjoyable to read and they really hammered home how difficult it was to be LGBT at the time.
Ehat I found interesting (and something I wish I could ask the author about) is that, while Tom is central to a lot of the emotions in the story, we don't get to read his direct perspective. He seems to exist on the outskirts which I guess could be seen as feeding into how he keeps himself iscolated because of his own feelings.
This book is beautiful and definitely wort a read.
Moderate: Violence and Homophobia
leahhmorriss's review against another edition
- 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 loved Patrick’s character so much. Tom and Marion, however, I hated. They were both incredibly selfish and just not very good people. Patrick deserved so much better.
Update - The movie destroyed me just as much as the book did. I’m actually about to start crying again just thinking about it.
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Violence
insanelyfruity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
"You were looking at Tom without smiling, with an expression of deep absorption. You considered him, in the same way that others in the room were considering the displays."
I think the quote above sums up the relationships between the characters very well.
it took me a while to read this book because I could feel just how sad it was and that made it hard for me to read. everytime I picked up the book I was immediately engrossed and wanted to know what would happen but I had to pace out the reading for the sake of my mental peace.
this book is so gorgeously written and even though I wasn't alive in Brighton in the 50s-60s, I'm sure it's very accurate about the time period it mentions. I'm so glad that the author chose to deal with a sensitive topic like this with the proper care and respect by doing research and not romanticising terrible moments in history. the movie recently came out and I think because of all the details in the book, the book is more impactful than the movie.
I am so glad I stuck with this book. definitely would recommend.
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Death
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy and Medical content
Minor: Suicide
ashlislibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
cat_astrophe12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Medical content, Outing, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Violence
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, and Misogyny
steffan_tastic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Outing, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Vomit and Police brutality
Minor: Misogyny and Lesbophobia
laurenmakena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't understand why the author chose to have Marion be the main narrator for most of the time. The chapters of Patrick's diary were the most compelling part of the story and showed the only insight into the struggles that LGBT faced at that time.
I highly recommend this story if you want to be sad though.
Moderate: Gaslighting, Outing, Violence, Hate crime, and Homophobia
msennflinn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Non-queer authors: please stop writing about queer characters in this way. Better yet, leave it to LGBTQ+ folks to tell these stories.
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing
Minor: Death and Suicide
whenlohaz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Violence and Hate crime
Minor: Suicide and Death