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readeranew's review
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this at the right time.
I could really relate to some of the stuff here. It was very accurate for me.
It was super hopeful and I felt better after reading it.
I really liked the extended metaphor with the maps.
I didn't like some of bigoted stuff.
The writing style was simple and the book was very easy to read.
I could really relate to some of the stuff here. It was very accurate for me.
It was super hopeful and I felt better after reading it.
I really liked the extended metaphor with the maps.
I didn't like some of bigoted stuff.
The writing style was simple and the book was very easy to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Racism, and Transphobia
sprucewillow's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The story was good in Parts 1 and 2 then went downhill for me.
I appreciate the reviews that said the book was funny and depicted mental health issues without being depressing, which holds true. The humor wasn't super ha-ha funny but instead witty. The tone of writing felt accurate to the voice of a 15 year-old boy. Craig's relation to his peers were also accurate to his age. As much as I hated reading it, his innermost thoughts about school, girls, and other characters in the book also felt realistic. Particularly his worries about school hit hard because I know I had some of those same thoughts when I was 15.
I have several gripes about this book that kept me from enjoying it. Spoilers from now on:
- Craig has MASSIVE main-character syndrome. I know he's literally the main character, but it got ridiculous. You have one suicidal moment, then get checked into the psychiatric hospital? I mean, good on him for getting help instead of waiting for years like the majority of people with clinical depression do. You get to make out with two girls in your hospital room? Did this hospital have no safety regulations? Visitors can wander everywhere? I've never been in a psychiatric hospital so I don't know how this works.
- The characters were flat, particularly the women. There is no difference in Nia and Noelle besides their names, described appearances, and their relation to Craig (hot girl who goes to his school versus other hot girl who is also in the hospital). I hate that I read several pages worth of descriptions of what they were wearing, their tits, their thighs, etc. I don't think Craig's mother and sister ever shared a significant interaction. This book does not pass the Bechdel test, lol. All the prominent female characters were there to serve Craig in some way. Again, main-character syndrome.
- Noelle seemed particularly useless. Her only use in the plot was to be the next love interest once Nia was out of the picture. Craig and Noelle's relationship was in general just annoying to read about. It was a terribly convenient romance.
- The depiction of mental illness, disordered eating, etc. was very compelling in the first two parts of the book (why those were my favorite sections). Once Craig gets into the hospital, all his symptoms seem to disappear. All that happens while he's in the hospital is fussing over girls and talking to the other hospital residents. I suppose it makes sense, because once his primary stressor cannot bother him (school) then of course his symptoms would lessen.
- Overall this story could have been condensed. 400+ pages was a drag to get through.
RIP Ned Vizzini
I appreciate the reviews that said the book was funny and depicted mental health issues without being depressing, which holds true. The humor wasn't super ha-ha funny but instead witty. The tone of writing felt accurate to the voice of a 15 year-old boy. Craig's relation to his peers were also accurate to his age. As much as I hated reading it, his innermost thoughts about school, girls, and other characters in the book also felt realistic. Particularly his worries about school hit hard because I know I had some of those same thoughts when I was 15.
I have several gripes about this book that kept me from enjoying it. Spoilers from now on:
- The characters were flat, particularly the women. There is no difference in Nia and Noelle besides their names, described appearances, and their relation to Craig (hot girl who goes to his school versus other hot girl who is also in the hospital). I hate that I read several pages worth of descriptions of what they were wearing, their tits, their thighs, etc. I don't think Craig's mother and sister ever shared a significant interaction. This book does not pass the Bechdel test, lol. All the prominent female characters were there to serve Craig in some way. Again, main-character syndrome.
- Noelle seemed particularly useless. Her only use in the plot was to be the next love interest once Nia was out of the picture. Craig and Noelle's relationship was in general just annoying to read about. It was a terribly convenient romance.
- The depiction of mental illness, disordered eating, etc. was very compelling in the first two parts of the book (why those were my favorite sections). Once Craig gets into the hospital, all his symptoms seem to disappear. All that happens while he's in the hospital is fussing over girls and talking to the other hospital residents. I suppose it makes sense, because once his primary stressor cannot bother him (school) then of course his symptoms would lessen.
- Overall this story could have been condensed. 400+ pages was a drag to get through.
RIP Ned Vizzini
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Eating disorder, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage, Racism, and Alcohol
_yeenaw's review
The transphobia was rough. Googled to see if it would stop, google tells me it doesn't. No desire to continue. Can read books that aren't transphobic. Sucks cause this had a really solid handle on what depression actually feels like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Transphobia, Racism, and Sexism
mizzzfortune's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Racism
anniereads221's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Deadnaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Medical content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia
bizzarley's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
i LOVE this book so much, i really saw myself in the first view chapters and his struggle was so relatable. the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is that the writing is a little dated, using some slurs towards minorities but other than that i adore this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Minor: Antisemitism, Racism, and Transphobia
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