Reviews

Mouthing the Words by Camilla Gibb

kaitlynmccully's review against another edition

4.0

This novel was unlike anything I have ever read. From the first page, it is immediately harrowing. You move with Thelma as she navigates the - already stressful - task of growing up, whilst trying to avoid the prying thoughts of the enemies around her.

I have never read a novel so jarring and yet so sophisticated. Thelma is intelligent from a young age, and the disarray of her thoughts is so beautiful captured throughout the book by Gibb.

I would recommend to anyone - with a slight warning of the contents (sexual abuse, mental illness, physical illness).

kitkat2500's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked this novel. It's not as good as "Sweetness in the Belly", but Gibb has a knack for bringing marginal characters to life. The protagonist is damaged and funny at the same time...someone I'd want as my friend.

liralen's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting and odd, this one—Thelma spends so much time deep inside her head, which is often the only safe retreat she has. I don't have a great deal to say here, but I appreciate the way that, when Thelma starts to come out of her cocoon, it's not a straight transition from disconnected to connected or unhealthy to healthy; rather, hers is a nonlinear path with an emphasis on finding ways to integrate the things that are only real to Thelma into her greater-world life.

oceanelle's review against another edition

4.0

by turns witty, painful, heartbreaking, and beautiful, this book was a quick and refreshing read (i read it in a couple of hours). the author brings us into such an intimate world that shows how mental health, abuse, family issues, etc. can all intersect, and thelma becomes a character that comes to life at all ages and in all forms. really wonderfully written and beautifully felt.

jodimiller37's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective

5.0

I don’t know how it makes me feel.  
But I had to keep reading, to finish this mesmerising novel.

podcast_buecherreich's review against another edition

3.0

Schockierend, dass die Protagonistin immer wieder von ihren Vergewaltigungen erzählt und keiner der Erwachsenen ihrem Martyrium ein Ende setzt! Das machte mich wütend und befangen.

Also durchaus ein aufrührendes Buch. Gleichzeitig stellenweise ziemlich wirr erzählt (was ist Traum und was Wirklichkeit?) und man bleibt der Protagonistin während des ganzen Buchs irgendwie emotional fremd/fern.
Hinterher wusste ich nicht so genau, was mir das Buch eigentlich sagen wollte…

Ich brauchte wegen des harten Themas außerdem ziemlich lange für dieses kurze Buch.

simsarah79's review against another edition

4.0

This was such a unique story, probably because the main character used imaginary friends and voices and retreated into her imagination for the bulk of her life because she was terribly abused both sexually and emotionally. I couldn't quite believe it was a YA book but no matter the audience it was a story that was both tragic and hopeful.
Thelma is the protagonist and narrator and we totally get in her head as to how she sees things, her family and the things that happen to her. It's not even like she understands what is normal or not, since the author does an amazing job of painting a picture of what someone living this life might be like.
I found it challenging to decipher what was real or not but once I got a grasp on things I couldn't put the book down. It's a quick read. I love Canadian writing.

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

1.0

The premise of this book sounded really intriguing to me, but for whatever reason, I just could not finish it, it was not for me.

anndouglas's review

5.0

A powerful look at the far-reaching impact of childhood sexual abuse. Yes, it's dark, but it's often fiercely funny, too, thanks to the wonderfully honest narrator. Note: This novel may not be the ideal choice for every reader (it may be hugely triggering for some), so do bear that in mind.