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nathanreadsnovels's review against another edition
4.0
not plot heavy, but an important study of Western Sydney masculinity
peter_fischer's review against another edition
3.0
This story is set in the western suburbs of Sydney, a hopeless and brutal social, cultural, and educational wasteland, where successive groups of immigrants hate one another and try desperately to hang on to their cultural identity as a means of survival in the face of indifference and contempt from their hosts, the ‘Aussies’. The main character is Bani Adam, of Lebanese extraction (the ‘Lebs’ are one of the main migrant groups in southwestern Sydney), who tries to make something of himself but runs up against all the problems of a prejudiced and basically unfair system.
This book bears witness to the nonsensical migration policies in Australia, where migrant workers are simply economic pawns and where little effort is made properly to integrate migrant families. Instead of judiciously settling them in established communities, they end up in these socioeconomically disadvantaged ghettos, which exist not only in Sydney, but all the state capital cities in Australia.
This is a book that makes you think, although the narrative does not hang together very well, especially towards the end.
This book bears witness to the nonsensical migration policies in Australia, where migrant workers are simply economic pawns and where little effort is made properly to integrate migrant families. Instead of judiciously settling them in established communities, they end up in these socioeconomically disadvantaged ghettos, which exist not only in Sydney, but all the state capital cities in Australia.
This is a book that makes you think, although the narrative does not hang together very well, especially towards the end.
roxyc's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maggielo's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
justine_the_wandering_reader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
balfies's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.75
This is an indescribably powerful book about masculinity and yearning to create art and express inner depth in an environment that revoked it. It follows a student at Punchbowl Boys High School in the aftermath of 9/11, as he goes through the HSC, navigates relationships with women, and participates in a multicultural artists' collective that utterly dehumanizes him.
I had my observation placement at Punchbowl boys and it was so interesting to see it represented in this way and to see an ex student reflect on what the experience was like for him through fiction. I think this might end up being one of my favourite reads of the year.
I had my observation placement at Punchbowl boys and it was so interesting to see it represented in this way and to see an ex student reflect on what the experience was like for him through fiction. I think this might end up being one of my favourite reads of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Xenophobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Islamophobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Bullying
davidup_15's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
One of the most interesting and arresting books I've ever read; I finished it in an afternoon. It portrays the deeply distorted and hypermasculine worldview of a group of boys in a way that makes the reader not only understand but feel how normal it is to these boys, and though it deals with some very heavy topics, it poses a lot of compelling questions about how racial oppression can lead to pushback in ways that are not always socially acceptable. The final section was also heartbreaking, but the ending had an almost shockingly hopeful note.
librarycommie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.0
jim_b's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.25