In this podcast, the hosts discuss the book 'Red, White & Royal Blue' and share their opinions on its slow start, youthful writing style, and predictable ending. They also talk about the portrayal of youthfulness and balance in the book, defend it against criticism, and discuss character development and portrayal. The hosts rate and discuss the book, announce a giveaway, and briefly mention their own book 'The Space Between'.
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Quick takeaways
The characters in Red, White and Royal Blue received mixed reviews, with some being well-developed while others felt underdeveloped and lacked depth.
The book's exploration of systems, control, and breaking free from societal expectations was appreciated by some readers.
Deep dives
Summary of "Red, White and Royal Blue"
Casey McQuiston's debut novel, Red, White and Royal Blue, follows the love story between Alex Claremont Diaz, the son of the first female president of the United States, and British Prince Cole Henry. The book received mixed reviews from the Shameless team. Some found the first 100 pages slow and struggled with the believability of the characters and dialogue, while others enjoyed the easy readability and youthful energy. The book is described as an escapist, lighthearted romance with elements of fan fiction. The sex scenes were praised for their honest and vivid portrayal of gay relationships. The book also explores fame, politics, and the intrusion of the public. The ending, while somewhat predictable, provided closure and a happy ending for the main characters. Overall, the book received a range of ratings from the Shameless team, with scores ranging from 5.5 to 8 out of 10.
Mixed Opinions on Characters and Writing Style
The characters in Red, White and Royal Blue received mixed reviews. Some characters, like Alex and Henry, were well-developed and easy to envision, while others felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. The writing style was considered youthful and shiny, resembling a young adult novel with elements of fan fiction. While some enjoyed the fresh and light writing, others found it unrealistic and stereotypical. The use of emails and texts to push the story forward was praised, but there were some inconsistencies in the portrayal and development of supporting characters.
Engaging Plot with Political Commentary
The plot of Red, White and Royal Blue received mixed reactions. Some readers were engaged by the love story and found it to be an enjoyable escape from reality. However, others felt that the political elements, particularly the portrayal of American politics, were idealistic and oversimplified. The book's exploration of systems, control, and breaking free from societal expectations was appreciated by some readers. The mix of youthful and raunchy elements, as well as the depiction of gay sex, was considered refreshing and well-written.
Overall Rating and Recommendation
The overall rating of Red, White and Royal Blue by the Shameless Book Club team ranged from 5.5 to 8 out of 10. The book was described as an enjoyable, lighthearted and escapist read, providing a much-needed distraction from the current situation. While some found the first 100 pages slow, others were drawn in by the youthful and shiny writing style. The book appealed to readers who appreciated romantic escapism and enjoyed seeing LGBTQ+ relationships depicted in a mainstream context. The mix of light romance and political commentary divided opinions, but the happy ending and closure were generally well-received. Overall, it was a book that provoked mixed emotions and opinions among the Book Club members.
A very happy Saturday to you, Shameless book clubbers!
This month, we’re talking all about Casey McQuiston’s debut, multiple award-winning novel, ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’. McQuiston’s book centres on Alex Claremont Diaz, the son of the first Female President of the United States. The story follows Alex and his love-hate relationship with a British Prince called Henry, and how their love affair threatens to derail American and British relations.
Today on the show, Mich, Zara and Annabelle discuss the book’s slow start, its youthful writing style, the characters we just couldn’t picture, and that veeerrry predictable ending.
You can browse the eBook and audiobook versions of past book club picks in our room on Apple Books! Have a look-see right here. (You might spot our little baby, The Space Between, in the mix there, too.)
Want to support our show? We are sending air kisses, air tea, and air hugs (too far?) to anyone who clicks ‘subscribe’ on Apple (bonus hugs for anyone who leaves a five-star review, too) or ‘follow’ on Spotify.
Still not enough? Well! Our hearts! See below for everything else.
