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nicktelesco's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
adamderb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing and Homophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Bullying
Minor: Sexual content
lucyistoocool's review against another edition
4.0
I heard Arvin Ahmadi speak about his book at a release event for Adam Silvera’s The First to Die at the End. Arvin was awesome, so funny and he seemed so genuine. His book was good, and you could tell it was really personally meaningful.
mfulms21's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
frogsnstuff's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
I’ll admit when I started reading it I thought it would be a DNF but by the end this book had me crying. The emotional scenes are so beautifully written and filled with heartache and yet hope. It’s the type of book that brings out feelings you didn’t know you had
aclopez6's review
4.0
I loved this book to a degree, but would offer it to students with the caveat of remembering that not all realistic fiction is "realistic", and that Amir makes many questionable and unsafe decisions, but there is still a lot to learn and gain from his story!
el_libromark's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Loved it. Great cast of characters, felt like I was with the group in Italy.
celtic67's review against another edition
5.0
Imagine?
A great coming of age story. On what it means to be young,Muslim and gay.This book could be subtitled Imagine. Imagine you were being blackmailed, imagine you were Iranian, imagine you are gay. Imagine what that would mean for the rest of your life.
Amir fearing his blackmailer would out him to his family and fearing the backlash from his ultra conservative mother and father. Is he right to fear? He flees from his family and his blackmailer.
He ends up in Rome in what he thinks will be heaven. he is befriended by a group of gays. But far from being a paradise on earth he finds he has jumped from the frying pan into the fire. He finds that gays can be as prejudiced and jealous as any hetrosexual.
The author has written a good story of prejudice, blackmail and fear. The prose is of a top quality, the characters are all well rounded and essential to the story. The reader will find his or herself changing sides, agreeing with Amir and then siding with his parents. What the reader will find is nothing is black or white but more a murky shade of grey. Well recommended.
A great coming of age story. On what it means to be young,Muslim and gay.This book could be subtitled Imagine. Imagine you were being blackmailed, imagine you were Iranian, imagine you are gay. Imagine what that would mean for the rest of your life.
Amir fearing his blackmailer would out him to his family and fearing the backlash from his ultra conservative mother and father. Is he right to fear? He flees from his family and his blackmailer.
He ends up in Rome in what he thinks will be heaven. he is befriended by a group of gays. But far from being a paradise on earth he finds he has jumped from the frying pan into the fire. He finds that gays can be as prejudiced and jealous as any hetrosexual.
The author has written a good story of prejudice, blackmail and fear. The prose is of a top quality, the characters are all well rounded and essential to the story. The reader will find his or herself changing sides, agreeing with Amir and then siding with his parents. What the reader will find is nothing is black or white but more a murky shade of grey. Well recommended.
chan_bean's review
4.0
Love the framing device! A very fun way to get multiple perspectives without fully committing to the multiple perspective bit. Gay people be having fun. But they also be having problems!
zanm's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.25
Audiobook was phenomenal due to the talents of the cast, really sucked me into the story.
——
Content of book itself: pretty good :) as a gay dude learning italian…I felt very seen. Really a sweet story and I was generally invested in the story. Good characters, medium pace, and realistic stakes.
———
Critiques-
One thing that felt like it would come up later but never did wasthe illegal wikipedia junk. I was waiting for repercussions.
Also, the ending didn’t feel very fleshed out compared to the rest of the book. We spent all this time building up this story and then it fizzles out… I suppose that can be true to life but I’d prefer a clearer ending (thoughthe voicemail was a great final note)
———
Overall solid, would read more from the author.
——
Content of book itself: pretty good :) as a gay dude learning italian…I felt very seen. Really a sweet story and I was generally invested in the story. Good characters, medium pace, and realistic stakes.
———
Critiques-
One thing that felt like it would come up later but never did was
Also, the ending didn’t feel very fleshed out compared to the rest of the book. We spent all this time building up this story and then it fizzles out… I suppose that can be true to life but I’d prefer a clearer ending (though
———
Overall solid, would read more from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Bullying, and Alcohol
Moderate: Islamophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault