Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Välimatkoja

Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Välimatkoja by Nina LaCour

85 reviews

bexreid's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This is the second time I've read this book, and I am still at a loss to write even an adequate review. How do you review a book when you have no words and too many words at the same time? Nina LaCour's writing is affecting and beautiful.

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lindseyhall44's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

“I know that I am always lonely, even when surrounded by people, so I let the emptiness in.”
“We are Okay” follows Marin before and after an experience which will change her life forever. Utilizing flashbacks to contrast with present day, Marin tries to reforge a bond with her old best friend Mabel, digging up betrayal and pain throughout the process.
I related to many aspects of the novel, which made it such a compelling read. Grieving was portrayed with such insight, and the relationship dynamics expressed that family can mean more than those who we share blood with. The prose was beautiful as well, which surprised me, because third person narrative is almost always my favorite.”
What bumped down the rating was a few plot holes that were underdeveloped or ignored; but, this novel is character driven so more emphasis was put on emotional growth.

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emugo's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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thecourtofreading's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.75

"what i mean is, don't be a person who seeks out grief. there is enough of that in life."

this story is so beautiful and so underrated. i've hardly seen anyone talk about it, but this book moved me to tears several times. following the tragedy of her past life, marin flees los angeles to start university in new york. nobody really knows what happened to her in the events leading up to her departure, not even her best friend mabel. but mabel comes to visit marin in her snowy new york dorm, and marin can't keep her demons inside her forever. sooner or later you have to face them.

"i listened to the same heartbroken song the entire bus ride home, because it was still a summer when sadness was beautiful."

it follows a dual perspective, the author detailing the present and the past, leading up to what happened to marin that left her so empty. the way nina lacour writes grips you, reels you in, and then you're hanging onto every word she's saying. grief is interwoven between the lines, and this book is one of those ones that really makes you think about life. it reminds me of those vulnerable 3am moments where everything you say feels different than if it was said at 3pm in the afternoon. it's very deep and reflective and it's going to be on my mind for a long time.

"these are all the things that change a person. if we endure them and we aren't changed, then something is wrong."

i loved all of these characters dearly. each one is so fleshed out that they almost feel real, like i'm really there on ocean beach with marin and mabel, like i'm really in marin's house with her gramps, like i'm really sitting there in marin's dorm room. i did find myself crying and i'll admit that. it was one of those sad books where you're sitting there, thinking "can this can any worse", and although it doesn't, things don't really seem to get any better. the ending was satisfying though. although fairly open ended, it was what i needed after such a rollercoaster of emotions.

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