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jbash_lo_fi's review
5.0
A really great depiction of Melbourne that doesn't pull its punches. Tsiolkas' writing is confrontational, tense, angry and just honest.
beth_7's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
inoshiiro's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Had to read this for English course! It was entertaining, but I think I was only able to handle the content because I am fairly far removed from the subject matter in my daily life. Made for interesting discussion in class.
garethmk's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
shakedyanko's review
2.75
Almost too hedonistic. There was no real plot which is not necessarily bad, but it was difficult to find a reason to keep on reading. It's not too long which makes it more a fun stint to fall into.
My one big gripe - no speech marks! Speech and narration were all jumbled up in one sentence; I couldn't tell who was talking half the time. For a book all about a teenager going around taking drugs & sleeping with strangers, it needed some significant brain power just to figure out who was speaking.
My one big gripe - no speech marks! Speech and narration were all jumbled up in one sentence; I couldn't tell who was talking half the time. For a book all about a teenager going around taking drugs & sleeping with strangers, it needed some significant brain power just to figure out who was speaking.
ivalimaki's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jared_reads's review
2.0
This was okay. I liked that it’s set in Melbourne but I also knew beforehand it was a short novel about drugs, sex and a lot of internalised homophobia. That’s pretty much it. It gets 2 stars because it wasn’t that complex of a text and there wasn’t any character development (I guess because the whole plot is a window of 24 hours). If you’re not a gay man living in Melbourne I’m unsure why you would want to read this.
michael070's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I usually really like Tsolkias’ writing but this was just way way too nihilistic for me to be able to get any enjoyment from it. I know that a lot of that is my not being able to relate at all to Ari but damn this is a bleak read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Racism, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, and Sexual content
sophwest's review
5.0
This book smells like smoke and beer and sweat and feels like pulsing bass in your chest. It's so visceral and high energy and non stop. I found it so addictive and evocative.
paperpotato's review
1.0
I didn't really enjoy this book. Though my opinion is subjective, I found the main character to be very immature and "emo". Others might enjoy it more than I did.