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A review by marypaz13
Flamer by Mike Curato
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is my second time reading this.
The first time I read it (Sometime in 2023):
- Literally for the cover, it gave me Hunger Game vibes
- It was being contested in my state (Oklahoma, USA)
- I speed read it, but even then I didn't think of a reason for it to be contested
2nd read through:
- It was a bookclub book for my Banned Book Club
- Besides the obvious, I noticed a lot more this time around:
--> Mental health issues: Depression, Anxiety
--> Domestic Abuse
--> growing up too soon
--> societal/religious pressures
--> colors, well mainly read and orange
I don't understand how a book that represents realistic issues, realistic emotions, and realistic circumstances to be contested or banned. Is that not the goal of books? To be inclusive? To make one's story relatable to their audience?
The first time I read it (Sometime in 2023):
- Literally for the cover, it gave me Hunger Game vibes
- It was being contested in my state (Oklahoma, USA)
- I speed read it, but even then I didn't think of a reason for it to be contested
2nd read through:
- It was a bookclub book for my Banned Book Club
- Besides the obvious, I noticed a lot more this time around:
--> Mental health issues: Depression, Anxiety
--> Domestic Abuse
--> growing up too soon
--> societal/religious pressures
--> colors, well mainly read and orange
I don't understand how a book that represents realistic issues, realistic emotions, and realistic circumstances to be contested or banned. Is that not the goal of books? To be inclusive? To make one's story relatable to their audience?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt
Minor: Domestic abuse