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entropydoc's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
slow-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
4.25
mentat_stem's review
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
There is a refreshing joy in Berry's very specific desire that refuses to map onto any set script. Every other character is twisted into knots trying to understand Berry's choices, but the desire to continue to sing in the treble tones of a choir boy remains. I love that the author inscribed the final words of the book when she signed it.
viktorreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
juliemawesome's review
4.0
Berry wants to remain a choirboy forever, but his voice is near to changing. After a failed attempt to solve the problem with some impulsive self-surgery, he learns about drugs. But in order to get the drugs, he has to say he wants to be a girl. So he ends up with drugs that save his voice, but also give him breasts.
I had trouble getting into this book at first, because it was all about choirs and choirboys, and well, that was not interesting me. But I picked the book up again and got to the part that interested me more.
This definitely isn't the feelgood read of Luna or Parrotfish, because there's lots of abuse, and crazy adults. In some ways, it's like an episode of South Park, where the adults are doing weird and stupid things, and being in general, clueless.
On the plus side, Berry is confused. That is, he's not the standard 'I was born a girl' character. His main goal is to remain a choirboy for longer, and then he gets to try out being a girl and thinks maybe that's not so bad after all. Maybe he does want to be a girl. Or maybe he doesn't. It shows a character who doesn't fit into the slots people are trying to put him into.
One thing that does bug me by the end of it all, is that no one ever pointed out to him that he can't remain a choirboy forever. If he takes female hormones, he'll grow up to have a female voice. If he doesn't, he'll grow up to have a male voice. If he takes the castrati route, he'll have the voice of a castrato. None of those is the same as a boy's voice. Are there drugs that let you stay a boy and not mature at all? I'm not sure. I know there's at least one rare medical condition. But castration, chemical or otherwise, is not the way to do it.
In the end, I'm going to call this a tragicomic novel.
I had trouble getting into this book at first, because it was all about choirs and choirboys, and well, that was not interesting me. But I picked the book up again and got to the part that interested me more.
This definitely isn't the feelgood read of Luna or Parrotfish, because there's lots of abuse, and crazy adults. In some ways, it's like an episode of South Park, where the adults are doing weird and stupid things, and being in general, clueless.
On the plus side, Berry is confused. That is, he's not the standard 'I was born a girl' character. His main goal is to remain a choirboy for longer, and then he gets to try out being a girl and thinks maybe that's not so bad after all. Maybe he does want to be a girl. Or maybe he doesn't. It shows a character who doesn't fit into the slots people are trying to put him into.
One thing that does bug me by the end of it all, is that no one ever pointed out to him that he can't remain a choirboy forever. If he takes female hormones, he'll grow up to have a female voice. If he doesn't, he'll grow up to have a male voice. If he takes the castrati route, he'll have the voice of a castrato. None of those is the same as a boy's voice. Are there drugs that let you stay a boy and not mature at all? I'm not sure. I know there's at least one rare medical condition. But castration, chemical or otherwise, is not the way to do it.
In the end, I'm going to call this a tragicomic novel.
naveed's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
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