Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by bittennailbooks
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Razorblade Tears is a gritty, violent, and unbelievably gripping novel about two father's brutal journey to the acceptance of their murdered gay sons. Please check the CWs on this one before you dip into it, it is not an easy read.
Fathers Ike and Buddy Lee have lost their sons to a tragic murder. Not accepting their sons "lifestyle" together while they were alive, they band together to find the culprit in death and finally do right by their kids.
This book had a lofty goal of discussing topics around homophobia, racism, surviving in the southern states as a non cishet white guy, and the failure to love us while we're alive. I did rate this book 5 stars because I could absolutely not look away. It's does not shy away from the gratuitous violence and the lengths these men will go to learn a valuable lesson on acceptance.
The biggest criticism I've seen of this novel is its use of violent homophobia for a redemption arc. Like how many people will have to die to repent for their failure as fathers? Its a valid one. But the protagonists waking up from their multigenerational hard, ingrained prejudice is not a light one. The complicated grief and sorrow is unpacked throughout the novel. I would love to sit down and study all the themes throughout this book because of how many layers there are. I think it's worth a critical read and stand by that its an important book.
5/5 stars.
Fathers Ike and Buddy Lee have lost their sons to a tragic murder. Not accepting their sons "lifestyle" together while they were alive, they band together to find the culprit in death and finally do right by their kids.
This book had a lofty goal of discussing topics around homophobia, racism, surviving in the southern states as a non cishet white guy, and the failure to love us while we're alive. I did rate this book 5 stars because I could absolutely not look away. It's does not shy away from the gratuitous violence and the lengths these men will go to learn a valuable lesson on acceptance.
The biggest criticism I've seen of this novel is its use of violent homophobia for a redemption arc. Like how many people will have to die to repent for their failure as fathers? Its a valid one. But the protagonists waking up from their multigenerational hard, ingrained prejudice is not a light one. The complicated grief and sorrow is unpacked throughout the novel. I would love to sit down and study all the themes throughout this book because of how many layers there are. I think it's worth a critical read and stand by that its an important book.
5/5 stars.