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voidboi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
In Real Life, the complexities of grief, memory, identity, and relationships converge over a weekend of experimental setbacks, socializing with friends, walks through a midwestern city, and a burgeoning sexual and toxic connection. The story is grounded in Wallace's internal experience, playing with the stark border between the self and others, as the othered. I was especially impressed by the way Taylor masterfully evokes the existential crisis that is academia, different from my experience in humanities and social sciences, but still painfully familiar with far-reaching impacts. Throughout this book, the world is honestly rendered in both condemnation and empathy. It hurts. I'll carry this one with me for a long time.
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Vomit
sophieduncan's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
williamg's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Death of parent
oliverlang's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
There's a lot of friend group drama going on throughout this book with a lot of dark/serious themes.
I feel like I wanted this book to be more than it was. It had the opportunity to provide strong character development and show a bisexual identity and it just didn't give me that.
Although the book only documents the events over one weekend, the ending felt unfinished and the final chapter came out of the blue with a flash back to the friends meeting for the first time.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
fondueturtles's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Grief
lexi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Grief