Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Whilst in no way a perfect book, this novel was an excellent exploration of the complexity of relationships particularly when an individual transitions. I really enjoyed the slow, thorough plot which really examined the characters’ emotions and interrelationships. The writing was on the whole beautiful; although some of the chapters did start off slightly more clunky, the author always found her way back to her expert prose delivering sharp and poignant lines.
I imagine that this book is going to complicate my feelings to Normal People, which I imagine is a similar tale of the complexities of love. If I had read that first, perhaps I would have loved to it but either way, I can anticipate that I prefer this tale and the diversity of human relationships it includes rather than the heterosexual couple in Rooney’s book. Time will tell though.
I imagine that this book is going to complicate my feelings to Normal People, which I imagine is a similar tale of the complexities of love. If I had read that first, perhaps I would have loved to it but either way, I can anticipate that I prefer this tale and the diversity of human relationships it includes rather than the heterosexual couple in Rooney’s book. Time will tell though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Transphobia, Grief
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
I could not care less about either character and I don't see that changing if I continue so... DNF
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A painfully human exploration or love, relationships and identity. Bellies has some of the most realistic OCD and anxiety written in any book to date, something which, as someone with OCD, I really appreciate. As the book progresses and time goes on, so do the characters develop and even though towards the end it starts to hurt as relationships break down and new ones form, you know it's for the best. No matter what it costs it is always the best to stay true to yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Grief, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Vomit, Car accident
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am not usually an annotator but this book had me whipping the highlighter out.
Some spoilers ahead!
The opening was compelling and I was sure I was onto a 5-star read but unfortunately, the middle fell flat for me. It didn't quite go in the direction I expected and I was surprised how long it took before Ming told Tom she was trans, and how little of the book they spent together after she came out.
My favourite scenes were when the whole gang were together, first during university and then towards the end of the book after tragedy strikes. These scenes really reminded me of the TV Series Big Boys and I loved the different relationships they shared.
I found myself relating to both Tom and Ming, despite being a cis white woman. I too have written and presented a play about my ex and now I'm wondering if I'm a bad person...However it was Tom's POV that I seemed to highlight the most. This quote particularly stood out to me:
“I have a bad habit of going along with things that aren't right for me, and I'm just trying to do the things a person would do if they loved themselves as much as they loved other people, I guess."
My other favourite characters were Rob and Cindy. The straight male friend and the stepmother could so easily have fallen into a stereotypical trap but instead they were refreshing, both so supportive and full of love for Tom and Ming. I hope there are more boys out there like Rob, so confident in their sexuality and unashamed to be platonically loving with a male friend (especially one who is gay!)
My one gripe with this book was that every character seemed to know exactly what to say and each of them were so profound all the time, it didn't feel realistic. There was a lot of beautiful prose in this book but it often slipped into being - as Rob would say - fucking pretentious. At least it was self-aware, I guess.
As I mentioned, the book lulled for me in the middle as Tom and Ming went off to do their own things, but I enjoyed the ending despite its unexpected melodramatic turn.
Overall, Bellies is a book that will stay with me for a long time and one I am excited for my friends to read so we can discuss it. This is Nicola Dinan's debut and I look forward to seeing what else she can do.
Some spoilers ahead!
The opening was compelling and I was sure I was onto a 5-star read but unfortunately, the middle fell flat for me. It didn't quite go in the direction I expected and I was surprised how long it took before Ming told Tom she was trans, and how little of the book they spent together after she came out.
My favourite scenes were when the whole gang were together, first during university and then towards the end of the book after tragedy strikes. These scenes really reminded me of the TV Series Big Boys and I loved the different relationships they shared.
I found myself relating to both Tom and Ming, despite being a cis white woman. I too have written and presented a play about my ex and now I'm wondering if I'm a bad person...However it was Tom's POV that I seemed to highlight the most. This quote particularly stood out to me:
“I have a bad habit of going along with things that aren't right for me, and I'm just trying to do the things a person would do if they loved themselves as much as they loved other people, I guess."
My other favourite characters were Rob and Cindy. The straight male friend and the stepmother could so easily have fallen into a stereotypical trap but instead they were refreshing, both so supportive and full of love for Tom and Ming. I hope there are more boys out there like Rob, so confident in their sexuality and unashamed to be platonically loving with a male friend (especially one who is gay!)
My one gripe with this book was that every character seemed to know exactly what to say and each of them were so profound all the time, it didn't feel realistic. There was a lot of beautiful prose in this book but it often slipped into being - as Rob would say - fucking pretentious. At least it was self-aware, I guess.
As I mentioned, the book lulled for me in the middle as Tom and Ming went off to do their own things, but I enjoyed the ending despite its unexpected melodramatic turn.
Overall, Bellies is a book that will stay with me for a long time and one I am excited for my friends to read so we can discuss it. This is Nicola Dinan's debut and I look forward to seeing what else she can do.
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
You know a book is good when it makes you cry on an airplane. This was a beautiful story, beautifully written. I loved it.