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sofipitch's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Difficult to sum up in a short or coherent summary. The way this is written is more reminiscent of a 19th century romantic novel, which I really enjoyed but that might be off-putting to some. At the same time it feels old it still captures the same feelings many queer ppl have today. Stephen is an incredibly compelling character, justing following her makes for a good story. Stephen often feels at the mercy of who she is surrounded, incredibly loved by some, but when she loses them she becomes worse than alone. The biggest disappointment in this novel is the prejudices the author did bake in, racism, classism, antisemitism. For a book that the big blinking neon theme is equality and tolerance, it's more casual cruelties feel starker.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Suicide, Racism, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Antisemitism, and Classism
Minor: Drug abuse
arrr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Complicated, problematic revolutionary, contemplative. Before white folks had language for so many queer experiences. Huge influence on contemporary lgbtqia2s+ literature, I kept finding easter eggs others have referenced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, War, Homophobia, Classism, Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
cowboylikestoread43's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria, Homophobia, Transphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
coatpocketcreature's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Grief, Self harm, Racism, Homophobia, and Suicide
nikodemus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Racism
floratristan's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
So many commentaries are extremely modern and relevant to today's struggles, which makes it a great read but also very depressing. In the face of persecution and social exclusion, the main characters all navigate the courage it takes to navigate society outside of norms, and I really appreciate the hopeful appeal to be able to partake as equals, for example in the speech the one gay man gives to Stephen in the bar in Paris.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Transphobia
Minor: Racial slurs
readwithbells's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
I was surprised how good this was. It read pretty easily and (besides the casual racism that is unfortunately reminiscent of the time) has some remarkably progressive views on sexuality.
Read for Queer Writing.
Read for Queer Writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, War, and Animal death
anna_wa's review against another edition
I ran out of time before I had to switch my focus to books assigned for school. I would love to finish reading it one day, I was enjoying myself!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
thepucegoose's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found this novel pretty fascinating from a social history perspective, particularly when considering early 20th century conceptions of queer, experiences of gender dysphoria and the way in which identity relating to this was conceptualised. It also gives an insight into the communities and lives of those who we might now consider to be transmasculine and their partners at the time the novel was written. If that sounds like your jam, I'd highly reccommend this novel as a really curious and engaging read. Stephen is a compelling protagonist, although the other characters are somewhat less developed; however, given the book's focus on Stephen's identity as the central element, this isn't a significant detriment. This novel also has an interesting consideration of the dynamics that can exist between a mother and her queer child that I think many will find relatable to this day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, and Misogyny
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
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