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emeraldjulep's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
I can hardly breathe having just finished this book. Like so many other reviewers I spent every free moment I had in the last day and 1/2 completely engrossed in this deeply unsettling, but moving story. She delves deeply into nature vs. nurture but allows the reader to question which wins out without spelling it all out. I was with Blythe the whole way-hoping but unsure of whether or not she had a grip on reality. It’s probably a better read for seasoned moms who can relate to the complexity motherhood. It’s never exactly what one expects- and it works out better for some than others. I agree with another reviewer that if you are pregnant or have very young children, don’t go here.
It’s an incredible work for a debut author. The characters and the plot are both so layered, the twists and pacing right on. I thought the ending was perfect.
I would have rated it higher becaue although it is very plausible that these things could happen, it’s improbable that all of it would happen to one woman and her lineage. It made me desperately sad for Blythe having had such an unfortunate childhood followed by such a sad adulthood - so unfair.
Highly recommend if you are up for a dark, intense read. (Narration was really great too).
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Vomit, Abortion, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
analenegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The only reason it received less than five stars was because I found the descriptions of women's bodies almost hurtful to the story Audrain was telling especially one meant to be a reckoning with the role of mothers.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abortion
cuddlygryphon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Self harm, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Abortion, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
thepennotthesword's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
drownedinfictionx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
erenreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
HOWEVER. The author is VERY weird about sexuality at times (especially at the gallery and about breasts in general), it just keeps repeating the same stuff over and over, literally no one but Gemma is lovable or even tolerable in the whole book, and it’s just. overall extremely “meh”.
I definitely would recommend it to people but like, most of these reviews get the expectations HIGH. it wasnt worth the hype (even though i absolutely enjoyed it too)
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
abrasieve's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Self harm, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse and Excrement
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Vomit, and Abortion
heather_sassenach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage and Self harm
thelibraryofanolive's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Excrement, Dementia, Abortion, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
sammipants08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail