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richelleaperry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Somehow, this is an almost 900 page book about 4 main characters that develops 3/4 of those characters barely at all. The unending abuse-after-abuse, trauma-after-trauma plot didn't make this feel like the Big Serious Novel it was trying to be and instead felt predictable and almost tedious by the end. The author's portrayal of gay and bisexual men, the majority of the characters in the book, felt borderline homophobic, and the last 2/3 of the book truly just felt like I was waiting for
I did not find the language to be nearly as compelling and beautiful as others do. For as much as this book dwells on the main character's decades of mental illness and overall misery, it notably and profoundly lacked much meaningful depth or reflection, instead just wallowing, so I was left feeling more bored and disengaged than sad.
I had to devote so much time to listening to this book in order to finish it before my Libby loan ended that I totally fell off the wagon with all my other reading. Totally regret reading this, there were truly no redeeming qualities in my eyes, and I wish I had DNFed it.
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
clairechum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Medical content
Moderate: Addiction, Vomit, and Kidnapping
themisres's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
The way I look at this book changed drastically after I learned about Hanya Yanagihara’s opinions about therapy (how she thinks it’s not really useful and some people are fvcked beyond help) . At first I was fooled to think she had a point with this book but after hearing her talk for more than half a minute, I was quite convinced that she wasn’t capable of making any point. This book is long, boring, and sad just for the sake of it. I kept reading with hopes that it would pick up a little. But it didn’t. I paid a lot of money for this book in my country’s currency, and that was the only motivation I had to finish it.
Reminder for my future self: If a book has like 50 or so content warnings, maybe don’t read it.
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
ulrika_m's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Do not read if you are currently battling with mental health issues!keikohosoi's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
melissasayswhat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, and Suicide attempt
ethanlowden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have never read a book so hopeful yet so hopeless; watching a car crash without a predetermined outcome in slow motion.
Despite the beautiful prose and story telling of the book, written in such a way which entices the reader, giving breadcrumbs of Jude’s story until it is finally all revealed, there are several issues I have with it.
SPOILERS BELOW!!
Furthermore, the way in which all of his friends are able to surround him and support him during all of this, when in reality they would have abandoned him. How quickly the Jude x Willem relationship arose and how their sex life was explored, with Willem unrealistically cheating on him with women.
I also did not appreciate how the tone of the book shifted from the initial dynamic of their friendship group to how much misery can we make Jude withstand. Personally I feel the abuse and “clients” endured became repetitive and just honed in a point which was already established, purely to shock the reader without adding more depth to Jude’s character. At points it felt like what other ailment and trauma can we give Jude now?
The love story with Willem and Jude is beautiful and haunting. The feeling of desperation to keep a partner and their memories was especially moving. When Jude describes missing Willems scent and doing anything to keep that smell I was reminded of similar moments in my life.
The ending of the book is absolutely devastating, with the final 5 pages being what made be bawl. However, the fact that for the previous 500 pages we had to endure Jude’s suffering from his perspective, I felt the audience where cheated of discovering Jude’s final thoughts and instead reliving the moment through Harold’s eyes.
Harold and Jude’s relationship is also beautiful yet very unrealistic. The final chapter gives a clear sense of the dynamic changes, and how much Harold loved Jude, how he cared for him even when Jude reverted to childlike tendencies, and how he finally was able to live as a normal child, now as a 50 year old man. Harold’s final thoughts about Jude are heart breaking and perfectly describe how the reader views Jude’s nihilism and self hatred, and how everyone wanted him to live, but ultimately knew his fate was inevitable.
My biggest issue overall with the book is the glamorisation of suicide. Jude is written as a character who has it all, a healthy family dynamic, caring loving partner, friends surrounding him and a good job. However he is never able to run from his past and his trauma, and thus it is implied that his only resolution is suicide, as the damage is too great to be repaired. But we saw his relationship with Willem, with Harold, with Andy, his ability to connect with those around him. Maybe I am too optimistic but I do not believe he was beyond being helped and able to live a happy little life, despite all his hardships.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
periwinklelephant'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
4.75
To clarify, if you can cope with the dark this book, I really think it's worth the read for everything else it offers - although you will cry (and probably sob) a lot so make sure you're in the right headspace. It can also help to take your time and take breaks when you need them.
Sorry for the all-over-the-place review, it's hard to communicate how such a heartbreaking and traumatic book can also be the most beautiful thing I've ever read.
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Car accident
loglew's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
WOW what a wild ride this book was. I knew it was going to be sad and at the beginning knowing Jude was at monastery I was like yeah I know where this is going but there was so much more to come. BUT, even amidst all the darkness, all the horribleness, all the terribleness of both other people and life itself, the glimpses of a happy life and happy moments in life shine through in this book. Yes there may be struggle but there is good with the bad. Finding lifelong friends, becoming extremely successful, traveling the world, having a personal doctor/friend who can take care of you, being adopted by loving parents, a surprise relationship that transcended traditional sexuality… the list goes on.
This book captures the most beautiful and the ugliest aspects of a life time. It was an invigorating read for sure. Just finished ugly crying for the last 100 pages or so 🙃
The only thing I’m thinking about that I’m wondering why it was included and what the intention was is why the heck did JB kiss Jude toward the end… did he do it as like a friend thing to make him feel better or was there underlying intention that he wanted to be with Jude..? It was kind of brushed over. JB was probably my least favorite character by far which is why I be thinking about this
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
roguesaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting