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Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell

46 reviews

eslsilver's review

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dark emotional funny 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

4.75

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lesenilpferd's review

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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hanumanbapa's review

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-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

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george_tte's review against another edition

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funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I couldn't put this book down! It was funny, insightful, raw, and not afraid of taking things too far and showcasing messy as messy. 
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schnurln's review

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funny reflective 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

5.0

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mmccombs's review

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

So I didn’t think I was going to finish this one, but I got through the initial hump and am glad I finished it! O’Connell has a very funny and honest writing style, though I did find it to get annoying and kind of cringey over time. I’m also unsure how well this will last over time, a lot of the jokes are of the moment, stuff I’d giggle at on Twitter now but be confused about in approximately one year. I enjoyed reading his perspective on disability and internalized ableism, and the ultimate love interest turned out to be so sweet. I thought this was a very rich cis white dude perspective, so I could see that being a turn off for some folks. I don’t necessarily think this will be a story that sticks with me for too long, but it was enjoyable to read and I’ll keep my eye out for more stuff he writes!
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solenekeleroux's review

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emotional funny reflective 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

5.0

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eemilycolleen's review

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3.25

fun and funny featuring some good run-on sentences, which i always love. i think for me there was some essential heart missing in much of this? and the pacing feels off, the ending comes too quickly, but maybe that’s a feature not a bug. so not perfect for me but a nice way to spend a couple hours! 
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serendipitysbooks's review

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emotional funny reflective medium-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

4.25

 Just by Looking at Him managed to be funny, often darkly so, while highlighting important issues - like the impact of disability (cerebral palsy) and ableism. It’s an exploration of the intersection of disability and sexuality through the lens of a gay tv writer who has addiction issues. It’s sexually explicit so reader beware. I was sometimes horrified by the blatant ableism and other times pulled up short by issues and situations I personally have never had to consider. Sometimes I was frustrated by Elliott’s self-sabotaging and deceptive behaviour but thankfully his story arc was one of growth. An engaging and propulsive read. 
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bookswithmybulldog's review

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emotional funny reflective 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

5.0

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