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pran's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Beautiful, nuanced, all-encompassing, Queer, fabulous. Would highly recommend to absolutely anyone. Be warned: lots of depictions of sex!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
barriojm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
I really wanted to like it. I didn't dislike it, it's definitely a piece of art. It just wasn't my preferred style, so it was hard to get into.
jairereads's review against another edition
3.0
Taking a few steps back, I think my issues with it were all with its influences rather than its own execution. I hadn't heard of "picaresque novel" until I started digging around for reasons I should have enjoyed this more. If this was indeed meant to follow in the picaresque tradition, I'd say this was an impressive entry, and I can't get mad at a duck for quacking. If it dialed up the satire a bit more, I think it would have been a blast.
chuckyinspace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2.75
hannahrose_99's review against another edition
3.75
3.5/4, maybe?? i love when a book takes place in iowa city! it took me a while to get into this book, and i found myself losing interest at points, but it's really so hard to tell if that's the book's fault, or the mental place i was in while reading it. i want to read it again! i thought the writing was so gorgeous, and loved the whole concept. i didn't find myself attached to any of the characters, and that indifference always makes it hard for me to get into a book! the last 100 pages were my favorite and made me want to go back to san francisco again.
jbash_lo_fi's review against another edition
5.0
A lot of queer fiction leaves me disappointed. Too many of these books seem toned down to avoid alienating "mainstream" (straight) readers. But his book is exactly what I've been waiting for. It's shamelessly honest. It's fun, explicit, moving and joyously queer. I'm so glad I read it.
donut_holer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
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
5.0
whatsontheshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
joensign's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, and Drug use
conoraflynn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
iconic - truly unique narration and really enjoyed seeing the world through the lens of paul's boundless narcissism. lots of fruity parts read clandestinely on the tube, ending felt a little bit neat but this was really entertaining and gripping throughout