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rworrall78's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I found the descriptions of real events desperately sad and at the same time, informative. They helped me to better understand a little what life must have been like growing up in a town like Derry. I absolutely loved the first third of the book.
I loved the more concrete descriptons of natural places and of the city. I enjoyed the glimpses of myth and folklore and would have liked more of that.
The lyrical prose seemed to have themes, borders, layers, skin, bones, blood, dancing, light, moths, water, oak trees, v-shapes. I can list them because I feel like I read them a thousand times in under 300 pages. All with little structure or conclusion. Those parts quickly became frustrating, I would have liked more sense of progression or purpose.
Dates and places were mentioned but not clearly enough to give a sense of chronology or even really of geography.
The way the book tackled serious trauma and mental health was excellent, sensitive and insightful.
As much to love as to feel frustrated with. I wasn't tempted leave it, and picked up pace as I got towards the end.
I loved the more concrete descriptons of natural places and of the city. I enjoyed the glimpses of myth and folklore and would have liked more of that.
The lyrical prose seemed to have themes, borders, layers, skin, bones, blood, dancing, light, moths, water, oak trees, v-shapes. I can list them because I feel like I read them a thousand times in under 300 pages. All with little structure or conclusion. Those parts quickly became frustrating, I would have liked more sense of progression or purpose.
Dates and places were mentioned but not clearly enough to give a sense of chronology or even really of geography.
The way the book tackled serious trauma and mental health was excellent, sensitive and insightful.
As much to love as to feel frustrated with. I wasn't tempted leave it, and picked up pace as I got towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism
mcchonchie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
juliaseculture's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like this book found me at the right moment. I usually don't read book that touches on mental health, even briefly like a moth. I would recommend you check the trigger warnings in this one. [TW:SUICIDE] My best friend committed suicide so I have thrown books across rooms at the mention of it. This book took my hand quietly. It's a piece of art. I knew in the first pages that I would love it. I tried to read it slow, to immerse myself so deeply that the words would imprint on my soul. My only struggle with it is that it can get a bit repetitive in my opinion hence the star.
hailchampagne's review against another edition
really difficult to get into and just felt like i was constantly reading metaphors
jaime_c's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, which as a review is unfair.
I found what Dochartaigh was attempting was interesting; I enjoyed being teased with certain details, and left with unknown gaps to fill (such as being left to really consider the broken pieces of her immediate family). I enjoyed how she played with what was left unsaid.
However, the text I found overall very repetitive. I found myself skimming certain passages, sure I’d already read them. By the final chapters I was tired of the style, of the circling and recircling/recycling of themes.
I appreciate that this book will speak deeply to some. The parts I loved were discussions of thin places and her relationship with her grandfather. I found this very open and tender.
I found what Dochartaigh was attempting was interesting; I enjoyed being teased with certain details, and left with unknown gaps to fill (such as being left to really consider the broken pieces of her immediate family). I enjoyed how she played with what was left unsaid.
However, the text I found overall very repetitive. I found myself skimming certain passages, sure I’d already read them. By the final chapters I was tired of the style, of the circling and recircling/recycling of themes.
I appreciate that this book will speak deeply to some. The parts I loved were discussions of thin places and her relationship with her grandfather. I found this very open and tender.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
coepi's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's hard to know how to review, let alone rate, this book. On the one hand: it's an intense autobiographical account of the author's trauma, which manages to discuss the Troubles and Brexit with extreme sensitivity and respect, and is beautifully written too. On the other: ...it does drag on a bit.
The problem I had was that and eventually, every chapter became a bit repetitive, with its descriptions of harrowing events Dochartaigh went through and then how nature helped her cope and heal. To be honest, after a while it becomes hard to cope with all the traumatic experiences that are recounted, and I felt a bit numb and exhausted. I had a similar response to all the descriptions of how nature helped Dochartaigh heal, which I found very similar each time. The writing style became quite grating eventually, and the structure also seemed a bit odd - roughly chronological, but then some things overviewed before they were fully recounted, such as Dochartaigh's experience of alcoholism.
I feel unfair complaining about these things, because in many ways it's a beautiful and well-written book, and I appreciated the insight into what it was like living through the Troubles in Derry. I think that ultimately, it just wasn't the book for me; but I don't regret reading it either, and maybe it will be the book for you.
It's hard to know how to review, let alone rate, this book. On the one hand: it's an intense autobiographical account of the author's trauma, which manages to discuss the Troubles and Brexit with extreme sensitivity and respect, and is beautifully written too. On the other: ...it does drag on a bit.
The problem I had was that and eventually, every chapter became a bit repetitive, with its descriptions of harrowing events Dochartaigh went through and then how nature helped her cope and heal. To be honest, after a while it becomes hard to cope with all the traumatic experiences that are recounted, and I felt a bit numb and exhausted. I had a similar response to all the descriptions of how nature helped Dochartaigh heal, which I found very similar each time. The writing style became quite grating eventually, and the structure also seemed a bit odd - roughly chronological, but then some things overviewed before they were fully recounted, such as Dochartaigh's experience of alcoholism.
I feel unfair complaining about these things, because in many ways it's a beautiful and well-written book, and I appreciated the insight into what it was like living through the Troubles in Derry. I think that ultimately, it just wasn't the book for me; but I don't regret reading it either, and maybe it will be the book for you.
dana_katherine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A tough, otherworldly, rooted, hopeful book that will stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction