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A review by notaspacemission
Loveless by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There were many points during this book that I cried, whether it was the events of the Bailey Ball, the rowing scene, or the play, i cried so hard.
Upon reading the title and blurb of the book back in January, I was initially hesitant to read it as I thought it may portray Aromantic Asexual people as Loveless (do you like what I did there?) monsters, incapable of forming attachments. But also during that time, I was going through my own sexuality crisis as I wondered if I too was Aromantic Asexual. My biggest regret about reading this book is not reading it sooner, it would have helped me in a way that no person ever could. The way Georgia felt about romance and sexuality closely resembles that of what I feel when I came to terms with my sexuality. This in my opinion is the best representation of what Asexuality and Aromanticism is.
I've heard other readers talk about how they wish the book was more sex and romance positive, especially when it came to Rooney. But I would argue that Oseman wrote her in a way that was realistic of many who have been in dysfunctional and toxic relationships in the past.
Rooney struggled with self-loathing ideas and borderline self harm (her excessive use of alcohol) but toward the end of the novel, her recovery is evident. While she may never 100% get over the abuse she faced at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, she is definitely learning that she is deserving of love, all kinds of it: romantic, platonic, and sexual. She has such a complex character and that's what makes her my favourite character in Alice's novel.
It was also so refreshing to see a queer coming-of-age story that does not centre romance and sex. It gives people a chance to see themselves represented. I could not recommend this book enough
Upon reading the title and blurb of the book back in January, I was initially hesitant to read it as I thought it may portray Aromantic Asexual people as Loveless (do you like what I did there?) monsters, incapable of forming attachments. But also during that time, I was going through my own sexuality crisis as I wondered if I too was Aromantic Asexual. My biggest regret about reading this book is not reading it sooner, it would have helped me in a way that no person ever could. The way Georgia felt about romance and sexuality closely resembles that of what I feel when I came to terms with my sexuality. This in my opinion is the best representation of what Asexuality and Aromanticism is.
I've heard other readers talk about how they wish the book was more sex and romance positive, especially when it came to Rooney. But I would argue that Oseman wrote her in a way that was realistic of many who have been in dysfunctional and toxic relationships in the past.
Rooney struggled with self-loathing ideas and borderline self harm (her excessive use of alcohol) but toward the end of the novel, her recovery is evident. While she may never 100% get over the abuse she faced at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, she is definitely learning that she is deserving of love, all kinds of it: romantic, platonic, and sexual. She has such a complex character and that's what makes her my favourite character in Alice's novel.
It was also so refreshing to see a queer coming-of-age story that does not centre romance and sex. It gives people a chance to see themselves represented. I could not recommend this book enough
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship