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cariad_llyfr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Rape and Suicide attempt
loxeletters's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I also liked the magical realism/supernatural aspects, though they were much less prevalent in the second half of the book.
This book actually challenged me on some of my core beliefs as a writer - the author does a lot of "head-hopping", which is usually frowned upon in modern fiction, though it used to be quite common in classic literature. It forced me to confront whether I actually don't like this technique or whether that was just ingrained in me from countless online repetition. My final conclusion is that I don't know. It did feel quite jarring a lot of the time and often broke the immersion. But maybe that was intentional?
In any case, I think that the translation was a bit subpar, featuring dangling modifiers and comma splices a lot. Again, maybe that's just the author's style, but I'd be willing to bet it's the translation.
Overall I have mixed feelings on this book. It was easy to read and engaging, plus I learnt a lot, but the prose just felt disconnected at times in a way that I can't really explain. Still, a very solid book.
Graphic: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Rape, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Drug abuse
phoebeb2003's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicide attempt
haalborg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Medical trauma
Minor: Suicide attempt
niamhdee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Rape, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
bethhreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Due to the length of the novel, it was a short and quick read! The characters are well developed and have their own unique voice. Given the setting, the story is dark and heart wrenching but has a small glimmer of hope by the end.
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Misogyny
Moderate: Incest, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Pedophilia
Minor: Child death and Suicide attempt
lauramparis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Rape, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual violence
imkaytie's review against another edition
- 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
2.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Drug abuse, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
thesehauntedshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Confinement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Medical trauma, Misogyny, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Suicide