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ladygaga's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Chronic illness
eilzxo's review against another edition
3.0
Such a devastating should-have-been love story, written in a very poetic way I’d like to say as well. I read this in one go and enjoyed it right the way through
jenniferbirtles's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wombifat's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of the most beautiful things I've ever read. I cried a lot. Nothing really happens but it's a book about love between people, all types of love, and it's incredibly well written.
justinkhchen's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Lyrical and tender, filled with gentle moments of intimacy and sorrow. I wholeheartedly agree with reviewers who compare Tin Man to Call Me By Your Name, as both novels approach the subject of lost love (between men) in a very similar fashion. While it doesn't break any new ground (Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain adaptation also came to mind), and some of its writing choices can be disorienting (the lack of quotation marks for dialog and the nonlinear structure), Tin Man's effective amplification of frank, mundane love remains an easy recommendation to readers who appreciate (and crave more of) André Aciman's summery tale.
Lyrical and tender, filled with gentle moments of intimacy and sorrow. I wholeheartedly agree with reviewers who compare Tin Man to Call Me By Your Name, as both novels approach the subject of lost love (between men) in a very similar fashion. While it doesn't break any new ground (Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain adaptation also came to mind), and some of its writing choices can be disorienting (the lack of quotation marks for dialog and the nonlinear structure), Tin Man's effective amplification of frank, mundane love remains an easy recommendation to readers who appreciate (and crave more of) André Aciman's summery tale.
bookyanna's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't know what to expect starting this short novel, but I was pleasantly surprised. A touching story which explores the complex relationship shared by Ellis, Michael and Annie. Draws on some heavy themes, particularly in Michael's section, where he reflects upon caring for his partner suffering with AIDs. A hard but neccesary read. Beautifully written, introspective, and powerful.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful, sad story of two men and the woman who loves them, a tale of a trio of people that begins after two of them are gone. A tender elegy to different types of love.
lit_laugh_luv's review
2.0
[1.5 stars, rounded up] I am very clearly in the minority here, but I am absolutely STRUGGLED to get through this. The last 50 pages I had to skim because it felt like a chore picking this up. The whole book felt like it was telling the reader how they should feel rather than conveying emotions through the actual writing. Annie, Michael and Ellis have an interesting friendship that is intended to be the highlight of the book, yet their group dynamic is seldom articulated other than emphasizing to us that they were really close. I felt no connection to anyone in this book.
From the premise, this book has all the typical themes I enjoy: coming-of-age, identity, grief, and friendship. In practice, the writing did not work for me whatsoever. The lack of quotation marks felt superfluous and the conversation flow suffers as a result ("he said..." is used multiple times in every conversation just to establish the speaker). The amount of detail in describing the setting comes across as flowery and breaks up the narrative flow; several scenes required me to re-read the passage just to contextualize and visualize what was going on. The sunflower symbolism also felt very forced and not particularly imaginative.
I much preferred Michael's section of the book where the narrative is intentionally more direct and plot-driven. With that said, the AIDS crisis feels shoehorned in to make the story carry more emotional weight. There's little commentary on anything about it other than it being used as a cheap plot device. I'm not suggesting authors shouldn't include AIDS in gay stories, but I do think it necessitates some nuance or commentary that goes beyond the suffering-to-death pipeline.
From the premise, this book has all the typical themes I enjoy: coming-of-age, identity, grief, and friendship. In practice, the writing did not work for me whatsoever. The lack of quotation marks felt superfluous and the conversation flow suffers as a result ("he said..." is used multiple times in every conversation just to establish the speaker). The amount of detail in describing the setting comes across as flowery and breaks up the narrative flow; several scenes required me to re-read the passage just to contextualize and visualize what was going on. The sunflower symbolism also felt very forced and not particularly imaginative.
I much preferred Michael's section of the book where the narrative is intentionally more direct and plot-driven. With that said, the AIDS crisis feels shoehorned in to make the story carry more emotional weight. There's little commentary on anything about it other than it being used as a cheap plot device. I'm not suggesting authors shouldn't include AIDS in gay stories, but I do think it necessitates some nuance or commentary that goes beyond the suffering-to-death pipeline.