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A review by sauvageloup
Close to Home by Michael Magee
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I just didn't vibe with it, unfortunately.
pros:
- it did pick up at the end, in the last third or so when Sean finally got his life together a bit, and that was satisfying.
- the writing is good, straight forward but creative at times.
- I did feel for Sean.
- it was a different sort of read anyway.
cons:
- it just felt like being on groundhog day for like the whole first half. Sean does the exact same thing of getting drunk and off his head with his mates over and over, and it was just sad and frustrating and boring.
- it felt like a lack of plot to me too, too much aimlessness. I get that that's the character but it was becoming unreadable to me.
so i didn't click with it, though I guess im glad I stuck it out as the bit at the end was the best and it was good to see Sean get himself together.
pros:
- it did pick up at the end, in the last third or so when Sean finally got his life together a bit, and that was satisfying.
- the writing is good, straight forward but creative at times.
- I did feel for Sean.
- it was a different sort of read anyway.
cons:
- it just felt like being on groundhog day for like the whole first half. Sean does the exact same thing of getting drunk and off his head with his mates over and over, and it was just sad and frustrating and boring.
- it felt like a lack of plot to me too, too much aimlessness. I get that that's the character but it was becoming unreadable to me.
so i didn't click with it, though I guess im glad I stuck it out as the bit at the end was the best and it was good to see Sean get himself together.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Grief, and War