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tildahlia's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book and felt it had a strong start in describing the family dynamics between the characters, particularly the relationships between the children and their parents. As someone who grew up in Western Sydney, I also enjoyed the descriptions of place which were evocative and familiar to me. But, as the book progressed the threads of the story became unmoored and frankly, boring. Some of the actions/dialogue of some of the characters felt fanciful in parts and ultimately cringe (ie the constant chip on the shoulder re Western Sydney of one of the characters just felt...totally unrealistic?!) I found myself eye-rolling in response to sections that felt undergrad writing quality at best.
mattybax's review against another edition
A hard read…
Downright depressing for the sake of it without any rationale or justification through character development
Downright depressing for the sake of it without any rationale or justification through character development
mostlyshanti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
rugby league... I'm an expert now
kaymunckton's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
perfectsham's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I quite like books like this where nothing really happens, it's just a meandering exploration of the characters over time. The only problem with this book was it just ended almost mid sentence with zero attempt to tie anything up or give the characters any kind of resolution. It just...finished. So enjoyable read but docked points for the (non) ending.
mim_dot_epub's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
bestknownfor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion
talbet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
curatoriallyyours's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn’t dislike this book but I also didn’t love it. We follow brother and sister, Walt and Helen, and their friend, Duncan, as they move away from their childhood hometown in Sydney’s western suburbs and live their lives. Realistically, we just meander through their lives and not much of note happens. They aren’t happy and who they all are by the end of the book left me feeling pretty meh about the whole experience. There was potential here but it didn’t quite come together for me.
broden29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0