Reviews

Het woord voor rood by Jon McGregor

ruthmoog's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

2.5

This book starts off as an exciting Antarctic adventure, but rapidly deteriorates into an frustrating account of rehabilitation.

I can imagine there are many people who will take comfort in the characters' journeys. I've not read an account like this before... but it wasn't the adventure I hoped for.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

Emergency rescue, stroke, legal proceedings, job loss, rehabilitation

carlyalynnsia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

andrew61's review against another edition

4.0

The opening part of this book describes a antarctic science expedition which goes badly wrong as the veteran explorer Doc and his two inexperienced colleagues are hit by a storm . The ensuing events lead to Doc suffering a medical event which completely changes the focus of the rest of the novel.
The subsequent parts , fall, and stand , describe Doc and his wife coping with his illness and recovery. This is a man who spent most of his married life away from home and his children. A physical man he is floored by loss of mobility and speech.
The book , like the author's other work, is so good at looking at an individuals response to events and life's adversities and the ensuing tale is remarkable in its exposure of the frailty of the body and the impact of illness on someone averse to such frailty as well as the nature of relationships. I put it down feeling that I has read something unique and knowing nothing about the book floored by the direction it took and the tale that is told.

bundy23's review against another edition

3.0

Very good book ruined by a shitty ending that'd be more at home in a crappy Hallmark movie.

lucy_lg's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

fant_ine's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

helenh1975's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-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

5.0

katsbookishthoughts's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting and clever book, though not quite what I was initially anticipating.

conor_h's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.5

kmart111's review against another edition

This book started as a thrilling survival adventure in Antarctica and after things go horribly wrong, then it’s a story about one family going through the healing process after their lives are turned upside down. I really loved this story, but it def made me tear up multiple times. Highly recommend!