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kelkelkelkelly's review
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia
Includes a vivid depiction of neglect of an adopted child, harm caused by the Catholic Churchjessife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Religious bigotry
emlibe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Kidnapping, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
Minor: Pedophilia and Police brutality
motherjuggler's review
- 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
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
breaklikeafish's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
We, the reader, follow the protagonist Cyril Avery through his entire life in several parts separated by seven-year time skips. I loved that structure and think it was very well executed. The way everything that happens in Cyril's life seems interconnected, and some people remain constant during all stages, while unrealistic, made for a very engaging read. I honestly would not have thought I'd rate this book a solid five stars after the first half because some characters' atrocious actions seemed to be explained away with too little discussion for my liking. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the latter chapters addressed every issue and tied up Cyril's life story so well that I wouldn't change anything about it.
This also made for very realistic character development for Cyril and the other characters. Cyril's internal monologue changes and grows with him. Still, he maintains a very distinctive style. He describes his life's story with so much wit and humor that I laughed out loud several times. Literally.
Some plot points and most of the dialogue seem entirely unrealistic. However, I found that I had a better experience with the novel overall after I accepted that Cyril might not be the most reliable narrator and the events were simply told through his eyes. For example, both Cyril and Julian's obsession with sex from an extremely young age seemed extremely disturbing and not at all funny to me, but given the trajectory of Cyril's life and the role his own sexuality colored almost every aspect of the first few decades of his life, it kind of makes sense that he would fixate on and exaggerate these parts of his early life.
My favorite part, as much as I loved Cyril's journey, remained the first one. I thought having Cyril narrate his mother's story despite not being born at the time was a very interesting narrative choice. I would totally read an entire novel told in that way.
In conclusion, this one goes firmly on my list of recommendations! It touched some very deep emotions in me and managed to make me laugh on the way.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Infidelity, Death, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Outing, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Cursing
savheath's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Outing, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Cursing, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
caties_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Blood, Chronic illness, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs
joensign's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Torture
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Dementia, and Infidelity
kjan318's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book reminds me of another book, "A Little Life".
Another astonishing story that describes the life of the main character about 70 years long, it reasonably convinced me how we as humans could be influenced significantly and grow differently by culture, upbringing, and environment. the main takeaways for me after reading this book: 1. distinguish the "impossibility" and "reality", the front can toxicate you if you obsess on it, the latter can nourishing you 2. Don't Lie, be honest to yourself, your life and your surroundings.
Graphic: Child abuse, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Torture, Child death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Violence, Death of parent, and Bullying
teaselkie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Homophobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Racial slurs