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mscott's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting, chaotic yet fun read. The Pidgin English can sometimes be challenging to follow if you have not been part of that culture but I think that is what adds to the fun of it. Just like the characters in the book, the structure of chapters, etc. were all over the map. I think it captured what it might be like in a tween's mind, with all of the hormones raging and their exploration of sexuality.
earldizon's review against another edition
2.0
I was fascinated by this book since it was rereleased a few years ago to commemorate 20 years and I hadn't ever heard about it before. These are vignettes of mostly fifth graders living in Hawaii in the 70s. As Filipinos and other ethnicities, they realize they can't play by the rules (even though that's what's expected of them) when they aren't even allowed to play the game. Add to that, the male main characters aren't afraid to be who they are when it comes to their gender identities even when they get ridiculed and bullied. It's unflinching and painfully honest at times but also shocking and over the top. With all the sex that was happening, I kept thinking the characters were in high school at least. I guess it's edgy. I'm sure it definitely was when it came out in the mid 90's.
livrenz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
althebookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Emotional abuse
prolog15's review against another edition
5.0
five stars for remixing america, unmatched character depiction, and relentless humor
benvedou's review against another edition
3.0
You guys think you so hot-shit, but you know what? The ground you standing on is not the freakin’ meltin’ pot but one volcano. And one day, the thing goin’ erupt and you guys goin’ be the first ones for burn.
They like you because you’re a copycat, want to be just like them.
They like you because—give it a few more years—you’ll be just like them.
Rolling the R’s is a short but potent snapshot of queer diaspora teen life in 1970s Hawaii. Does it sound like a lot to cover in 170 pages? It is. Rolling’s characters are lightning bolts. Author, R. Zamora Linmark, can say more about an individual supporting player in a brief vignette than many can say of their protagonist in an entire novel. This is a profound talent.
Sexual and gender identities, abuse, addictions, sex work, and systemic racism are all brought to stage through our characters’ eyes. We begin to see how the structures they exist in begin to inform their choices and their acts. In equal measure, we see how abuse and neglect drives one to risky sexual encounters, and how popular culture/disco music offers a blessed reprieve. In order to rightfully and respectfully understand characters, we must see the breadth of what they experience. Linmark scratches the surface of what might have been, here. There is an opus hidden in these pages that I want to hear, but this was not the path Linmark chose for his work. I continue to feel like the scope of this project is not captured with its brief length. Not by a long shot. I now have to grapple with this.
The sometimes-prose, sometimes-vernacular, sometimes-poetry, sometimes-first person, sometimes-epistolary nature of the novel works for it and against it. This is an interesting, nebulous read and I feel I can’t say much more.
They like you because you’re a copycat, want to be just like them.
They like you because—give it a few more years—you’ll be just like them.
Rolling the R’s is a short but potent snapshot of queer diaspora teen life in 1970s Hawaii. Does it sound like a lot to cover in 170 pages? It is. Rolling’s characters are lightning bolts. Author, R. Zamora Linmark, can say more about an individual supporting player in a brief vignette than many can say of their protagonist in an entire novel. This is a profound talent.
Sexual and gender identities, abuse, addictions, sex work, and systemic racism are all brought to stage through our characters’ eyes. We begin to see how the structures they exist in begin to inform their choices and their acts. In equal measure, we see how abuse and neglect drives one to risky sexual encounters, and how popular culture/disco music offers a blessed reprieve. In order to rightfully and respectfully understand characters, we must see the breadth of what they experience. Linmark scratches the surface of what might have been, here. There is an opus hidden in these pages that I want to hear, but this was not the path Linmark chose for his work. I continue to feel like the scope of this project is not captured with its brief length. Not by a long shot. I now have to grapple with this.
The sometimes-prose, sometimes-vernacular, sometimes-poetry, sometimes-first person, sometimes-epistolary nature of the novel works for it and against it. This is an interesting, nebulous read and I feel I can’t say much more.
fionaa's review against another edition
3.0
Tbh i think this would carry over really well as a movie
kgrotewiel's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual violence