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A review by leonidskies
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.
This is a book that, once I picked it up in earnest, I could barely put it down. The only times I did so willingly were to calm my heart thudding in my chest, because WOW. This book has a lot going on and it never really lets up and I adore it.
Everything about the writing of this book is absolutely unflinching. Every moment cuts in its careful, incredibly thoughtful commentary. This is a book so clearly written from the heart, an absolutely enrapturing read packed with sheer rage and determination. I'm not from the US and haven't lived anything close to this, but it felt so achingly real. The setting, the characters, each line of commentary... Pitch perfect writing in a frankly quite terrifying time.
And of course, I have to mention what drew me to this author's writing in the first place - reading about autistic trans boys continues to be an unrelenting joy. I spent so much of my teen years writing my own stories because they didn't seem to exist in my corner of the world, and reading this was like a gift to my teenage self. There were conversations in this book that, were it not for the drawl of the (fantastically rendered, by the way) character's voices, could have been lifted from my own childhood. Seeing them is immensely cathartic.
The author treats his characters with immense grace and care. His love shines through, making this a joy to read. I'd recommend this to ANYONE with the stomach for it.
This is a book that, once I picked it up in earnest, I could barely put it down. The only times I did so willingly were to calm my heart thudding in my chest, because WOW. This book has a lot going on and it never really lets up and I adore it.
Everything about the writing of this book is absolutely unflinching. Every moment cuts in its careful, incredibly thoughtful commentary. This is a book so clearly written from the heart, an absolutely enrapturing read packed with sheer rage and determination. I'm not from the US and haven't lived anything close to this, but it felt so achingly real. The setting, the characters, each line of commentary... Pitch perfect writing in a frankly quite terrifying time.
And of course, I have to mention what drew me to this author's writing in the first place - reading about autistic trans boys continues to be an unrelenting joy. I spent so much of my teen years writing my own stories because they didn't seem to exist in my corner of the world, and reading this was like a gift to my teenage self. There were conversations in this book that, were it not for the drawl of the (fantastically rendered, by the way) character's voices, could have been lifted from my own childhood. Seeing them is immensely cathartic.
The author treats his characters with immense grace and care. His love shines through, making this a joy to read. I'd recommend this to ANYONE with the stomach for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Animal cruelty