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A review by aetherthedino
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
Holy. Shit.
This book is something I never knew that I needed, and something that I never knew someone could even have.
This book took so many twists and turns I can barely comprehend, but I’ll try to summarize my thoughts as best as I can.
My favorite type of book is when the writing is intertwined with personal experience, drama, and confliction that both the author and the characters are going through. This is the thesis in I kissed Shara Wheeler, what I thought was gonna be some sort of coming of age with a weird gimmick surprised me. The plot ended up being a dissection of growing up in the south being, discovery, and being so deeply tangled in the expectations of your environment that you almost lose sight of who you are, and only come to find a glimpse years later, or are never able to open your eyes again.
It can be really easy to never notice that though, beneath the messy relationships at the beginning and the characterization that is a bit hard to stick with and root for. But that could argued to be a reflection of like, and supposedly accurate to the world around us, the more you read and the more you dive in the more complicated it becomes and with that is a very touching coming of age that every teen should get.
The biggest complaint I see is that Chloe is not the most likeable, honestly shes kind of an asshole- especially in the beginning. While I definitely don’t defend all her actions I think that the way she is is imperative to shaping the plot and conflict. She provides a viewpoint that contradicts almost every other character in the book which really hammers home all the themes, while yes. It sucks there, theres also a Love and Hope through that suffering that shines through and experience that some will have to endure, but no one should have to go through.
The writing lends itself as well, I was a bit taken aback by the 3rd person, but it lends itself to the comedy and introspection, the tangents of Chloes thoughts of the people in her life as well as the sudden shocks and revelations that have the narrator break the fourth wall in a way that is-in simple terms-pretty funny.
I get why this book wont be for everyone, and it shouldn’t have to be, but I related to the authentic writing and the sense of place, (The Midwest has a lottt of crossover with the little details) and even some of the characters- Smith was my Favorite No questions asked- and that was enough for me, so maybe it'll be for you too.
(Sorry for the Long Corny ass review, I just liked this book 😭😭)
This book is something I never knew that I needed, and something that I never knew someone could even have.
This book took so many twists and turns I can barely comprehend, but I’ll try to summarize my thoughts as best as I can.
My favorite type of book is when the writing is intertwined with personal experience, drama, and confliction that both the author and the characters are going through. This is the thesis in I kissed Shara Wheeler, what I thought was gonna be some sort of coming of age with a weird gimmick surprised me. The plot ended up being a dissection of growing up in the south being, discovery, and being so deeply tangled in the expectations of your environment that you almost lose sight of who you are, and only come to find a glimpse years later, or are never able to open your eyes again.
It can be really easy to never notice that though, beneath the messy relationships at the beginning and the characterization that is a bit hard to stick with and root for. But that could argued to be a reflection of like, and supposedly accurate to the world around us, the more you read and the more you dive in the more complicated it becomes and with that is a very touching coming of age that every teen should get.
The biggest complaint I see is that Chloe is not the most likeable, honestly shes kind of an asshole- especially in the beginning. While I definitely don’t defend all her actions I think that the way she is is imperative to shaping the plot and conflict. She provides a viewpoint that contradicts almost every other character in the book which really hammers home all the themes, while yes. It sucks there, theres also a Love and Hope through that suffering that shines through and experience that some will have to endure, but no one should have to go through.
The writing lends itself as well, I was a bit taken aback by the 3rd person, but it lends itself to the comedy and introspection, the tangents of Chloes thoughts of the people in her life as well as the sudden shocks and revelations that have the narrator break the fourth wall in a way that is-in simple terms-pretty funny.
I get why this book wont be for everyone, and it shouldn’t have to be, but I related to the authentic writing and the sense of place, (The Midwest has a lottt of crossover with the little details) and even some of the characters- Smith was my Favorite No questions asked- and that was enough for me, so maybe it'll be for you too.
(Sorry for the Long Corny ass review, I just liked this book 😭😭)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism