Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - Całkiem zabawna historia

Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

Całkiem zabawna historia by Ned Vizzini

88 reviews

sprucewillow's review against another edition

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

Content Warnings

kitkatgeorgie's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring 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? No

4.75

Content Warnings

_yeenaw's review against another edition

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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