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miacasey16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beverly_h's review
2.0
Giving this book a 2-star review because I found it difficult to finish. I started it in December and read it on-and-off until mid-March, which is unusual for me as I usually consume books in 2-3 settings if I am enjoying them.
I found that this book was drenched in highly political/feminist subtext - Susannah is a doctor who works '80+ hour workweeks' and yet her children are always immaculately turned-out, clean and well taken care of. Susannah survives on very little sleep every night - approximately 4 hours. I was cynical of the portrayal of Susannah's high-flying lifestyle as a mother and doctor. I do not have kids, work 50-60 hour workweeks and on top of laundry, cooking, socialising, grocery shopping etc. I found it inconceivable that the character could seemingly 'keep it all together' while doing so much.
In short, I appreciated how the book was a nod to working women in today's world and the pressures they fall under - I merely thought that Susannah's lifestyle went too far. As a fellow high-achiever, I found myself coming up almost guilty and inadequate compared to this 'superhuman' woman.
Throughout, I enjoyed reading about the character Adelaide's career as a journalist. Most characters in the novel, however, I did find to be quite two-dimensional.
Maybe I would have enjoyed this book better had I already been a mother myself. I did find the premise hard to relate to, but I am glad to have gotten the opportunity to read this emotional thriller nonetheless. I won't forget it anytime soon.
I found that this book was drenched in highly political/feminist subtext - Susannah is a doctor who works '80+ hour workweeks' and yet her children are always immaculately turned-out, clean and well taken care of. Susannah survives on very little sleep every night - approximately 4 hours. I was cynical of the portrayal of Susannah's high-flying lifestyle as a mother and doctor. I do not have kids, work 50-60 hour workweeks and on top of laundry, cooking, socialising, grocery shopping etc. I found it inconceivable that the character could seemingly 'keep it all together' while doing so much.
In short, I appreciated how the book was a nod to working women in today's world and the pressures they fall under - I merely thought that Susannah's lifestyle went too far. As a fellow high-achiever, I found myself coming up almost guilty and inadequate compared to this 'superhuman' woman.
Throughout, I enjoyed reading about the character Adelaide's career as a journalist. Most characters in the novel, however, I did find to be quite two-dimensional.
Maybe I would have enjoyed this book better had I already been a mother myself. I did find the premise hard to relate to, but I am glad to have gotten the opportunity to read this emotional thriller nonetheless. I won't forget it anytime soon.
hollie94x's review
3.0
After reading the reviews, I thought this book would be really good..
If I’m honest, I thought it was a bit meh. It did start off good, gripping and page turning. I then began to feel it wasn’t as page turning as I would’ve hoped. It wasn’t a dreadful book, but I probably wouldn’t read it again. There was some plot twists, but I felt I had a feeling what was going to happen.
If I’m honest, I thought it was a bit meh. It did start off good, gripping and page turning. I then began to feel it wasn’t as page turning as I would’ve hoped. It wasn’t a dreadful book, but I probably wouldn’t read it again. There was some plot twists, but I felt I had a feeling what was going to happen.
bekahschof's review
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pixiewilo's review
5.0
This is by far my favourite read of 2022 and it will be tough to tip this book! What an amazing book fast paced, kept the pages turning, plenty of OMG moments I was on the edge of my seat I couldn’t read fast enough!
brb_reads's review against another edition
2.0
I thought the author tried to hit every hot button topic or trigger warning and then she threw one final one in the last thirty minutes or so. Did not work for me.
eiliux's review
3.0
Lo leí por sugerencia de Graciela, que no es lo mismo que recomendación ya que no había terminado de leerlo cuando me dijo que le echara ojo.
El comienzo del libro es devastador, lo bueno es que no se pone peor que eso (hay los que sí, que son tragedia tras tragedia) y eso me permitió que, una vez pasado el shock inicial, interesarme más en la historia. Tiene varios puntos flojos y cosas que se pudieron haber desarrollado más pero está bueno en general, se presta a la discusión y tiene momentos que valen la pena.
El comienzo del libro es devastador, lo bueno es que no se pone peor que eso (hay los que sí, que son tragedia tras tragedia) y eso me permitió que, una vez pasado el shock inicial, interesarme más en la historia. Tiene varios puntos flojos y cosas que se pudieron haber desarrollado más pero está bueno en general, se presta a la discusión y tiene momentos que valen la pena.
cami_28's review
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
captaincocanutty's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
While the author isn't the most subtle in the point they're trying to make, I cared so much about the characters it more than made up for it.
While the author isn't the most subtle in the point they're trying to make, I cared so much about the characters it more than made up for it.
sooz_767's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
4.0
Despite the absolutely heartbreaking subject of this story, I actually enjoyed this a lot.
Any story involving a death of a child is going to be hard to read and triggering to many, but the story didn't linger on the death itself and even the grief of the parents wasn't the main focus, this was definitely a wise choice by the author and made this more readable.
I really do like a courtroom drama every so often, so this hit the mark for me and I'll definitely check out more from this author.
Any story involving a death of a child is going to be hard to read and triggering to many, but the story didn't linger on the death itself and even the grief of the parents wasn't the main focus, this was definitely a wise choice by the author and made this more readable.
I really do like a courtroom drama every so often, so this hit the mark for me and I'll definitely check out more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Child death
Moderate: Miscarriage and Suicide