kmani115 's review for:

Blackouts by Justin Torres
5.0
challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I left this book both feeling like I was inside someone’s mind and like I had just consumed a beautiful piece of art. Equal parts beautiful and challenging, Blackouts blended reality and fiction in a way that will stay with me forever. The unnamed main character and Juan were some of the most real characters I have ever read about and I enjoyed getting to be a fly on the wall while they shared their stories and love with each other. Flaws and all, I found myself falling in love and learning about life with the both of them. I would definitely recommend reading this with a book club or someone with whom you can discuss. I just finished it and I already want to read it again. I will say if you don’t like experimental formats, this is not for you. This book is a mixture of visual art, found poetry, and masterful literature, and most of all a love letter to queerness.