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A review by squids_can_read
Boy by Nicole Galland
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Typically I start my reviews with a quick summary of the book, like a rewording of the back of the book. However, I don’t think that this book needs a summary. I think it just needs three words. Historical Soap Opera.
I was excited for this book about a piece of history that I didn’t know much about. The boy actors that were used to act as women and what happens after they grow up. However, this is honestly rarely mentioned. It is used as an explanation for Sander(the boy actor)’s actions but the actual consequences of it are hardly mentioned or explored. Instead, the plot is about people in court and their petty squabbles, not even really touching on the people that get caught between.
I honestly hated both characters too. Sander makes bad decisions at every turn and each time says that he will learn but he doesn’t, not really. His explanations always seem shallow but he always gets away with it. Joan is annoying for a different reason and it is because she’s a flat character. Oh she learns a lot about science, in her apprenticeship with Francis Bacon, but she doesn’t change through the whole novel. I also hated the romance between the two of them because they are stated at the beginning of the book as being long-time friends but
SLIGHT SPOILER
the only thing they do after getting together is argue and have sex. They even “resolve” their issues with sex. It was unnecessary and I felt like it diminished any development that either character might have had.
END OF SPOILER
Honestly, I just don’t think that this was my cup of tea. If the words Historical Soap Opera sounds good to you, give it a read. But I just didn’t like it.
I was excited for this book about a piece of history that I didn’t know much about. The boy actors that were used to act as women and what happens after they grow up. However, this is honestly rarely mentioned. It is used as an explanation for Sander(the boy actor)’s actions but the actual consequences of it are hardly mentioned or explored. Instead, the plot is about people in court and their petty squabbles, not even really touching on the people that get caught between.
I honestly hated both characters too. Sander makes bad decisions at every turn and each time says that he will learn but he doesn’t, not really. His explanations always seem shallow but he always gets away with it. Joan is annoying for a different reason and it is because she’s a flat character. Oh she learns a lot about science, in her apprenticeship with Francis Bacon, but she doesn’t change through the whole novel. I also hated the romance between the two of them because they are stated at the beginning of the book as being long-time friends but
SLIGHT SPOILER
the only thing they do after getting together is argue and have sex. They even “resolve” their issues with sex. It was unnecessary and I felt like it diminished any development that either character might have had.
END OF SPOILER
Honestly, I just don’t think that this was my cup of tea. If the words Historical Soap Opera sounds good to you, give it a read. But I just didn’t like it.