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A review by abbiesb_read
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Correct me if I’m wrong but, I got the vibe that Aaron is bi and Adam Silvera had no idea how to conceptualize that idea fully.
This book read like a draft that needed more editing.
The narrator, Aaron, was insufferable at times. For most of the book I honestly couldn’t stand him and considered DNF the book because he acted like he was entitled to have his feelings returned. We can not control how others feel about us which i thought was going to be part of the message of this book—which would have been a very powerful message—instead we have a character whose entire happiness relies on others. —which is a terrible message.
There were so many moments where I felt like Aaron was in denial that a guy could have physical attraction towards him and also still be figuring out his sexuality— or that a guy could have been experimenting and came to the conclusion he isn’t gay. Considering that Aaron himself was questioning his own sexually he never once acted like it was ok for his male love interests to also question their own sexuality. If his feelings towards them weren’t returned and they showed any sort of straightness—“he’s gay and he’s in denial if he thinks he isn’t”. This book acts like being Straight or Gay are the only options.
Also, the friend characters were written very stereotypical and lacked any sort of interesting substance. I often found myself getting them confused because they all had the same personality.
Why was “no homo” used SO MANY TIMES?? I don’t have a problem with it being used. I’m in my 30s and I do remember kids my age in middle school saying it but why was that saying used so EXCESSIVELY?!
In terms of the plot: Sometimes the pacing was fast, other times it slogged. I felt like this book tried to cram in as much trauma as it possibly could so it could make you “feel something” but it came off as emotionally manipulative. The “twist” ending and then eventual conclusion made me wander what was the damn point of this book.
I read We Both Die at the End first and this didn’t even come close to the same impact that book had on me. However, I acknowledge that this is Adam’s first novel so I’m glad his writing has improved!
This book read like a draft that needed more editing.
The narrator, Aaron, was insufferable at times. For most of the book I honestly couldn’t stand him and considered DNF the book because he acted like he was entitled to have his feelings returned. We can not control how others feel about us which i thought was going to be part of the message of this book—which would have been a very powerful message—instead we have a character whose entire happiness relies on others. —which is a terrible message.
There were so many moments where I felt like Aaron was in denial that a guy could have physical attraction towards him and also still be figuring out his sexuality— or that a guy could have been experimenting and came to the conclusion he isn’t gay. Considering that Aaron himself was questioning his own sexually he never once acted like it was ok for his male love interests to also question their own sexuality. If his feelings towards them weren’t returned and they showed any sort of straightness—“he’s gay and he’s in denial if he thinks he isn’t”. This book acts like being Straight or Gay are the only options.
Also, the friend characters were written very stereotypical and lacked any sort of interesting substance. I often found myself getting them confused because they all had the same personality.
Why was “no homo” used SO MANY TIMES?? I don’t have a problem with it being used. I’m in my 30s and I do remember kids my age in middle school saying it but why was that saying used so EXCESSIVELY?!
In terms of the plot: Sometimes the pacing was fast, other times it slogged. I felt like this book tried to cram in as much trauma as it possibly could so it could make you “feel something” but it came off as emotionally manipulative. The “twist” ending and then eventual conclusion made me wander what was the damn point of this book.
I read We Both Die at the End first and this didn’t even come close to the same impact that book had on me. However, I acknowledge that this is Adam’s first novel so I’m glad his writing has improved!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, and Toxic friendship