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charlottemily's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this book as I’d seen it everywhere as a book you need to read in your twenties, I can understand why as it’s all about trying to yourself/ home when everyone else is doing different things and moving at different paces. I did really enjoy the writing style, which made it quite relaxing to read. However I felt like the book didn’t really know where it was going, which might’ve been the point but I think some storylines could’ve been fleshed out more and others probably could’ve been left out. But I read it all in a day and it did make me think afterwards so all in all quite enjoyable, just not sure it’s a MUST READ book in your 20s.
pmrichard1's review
2.0
I think this would’ve been more of a 3.5 if I read it in one sitting on holiday. There are lots of plotless novels I really like and the writing was lovely but just not my favourite. Also found a lot of the ED stuff tricky to read.
charlottepaigee's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
some of the writing is very pretty and nice but overall not fully my vibe and the main character was annoying in a way that wasn’t endearing. enjoyed the bishop and newcastle references though!
kaycem64's review against another edition
5.0
I want to reach out and hold all of the beauty around me, to be unafraid of pleasure. I want love, sticky and painful, fat with desire and mottled with light.
sarahhrivero's review
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I genuinely don’t know if I loved or hated this book. Andrews vivid descriptions made me feel uneasy like never before but the rawness and self destructiveness of the main character also somehow gave me peace…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
moeljo's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
michloue's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
jamiedwight's review
4.0
this was my first Jessica Andrews, and it certainly did not disappoint. having not read saltwater, i didn't know what to expect from her writing, and i can't lie at first i wasn't too sure whether this was going to be the sort of book i enjoyed, but i LOVED it.
the novel follows an unnamed female protagonist as she navigates her way through life living in small rooms, earning shit wages, meeting a boy she adores, but ultimately feeling like she does not deserve any kind of love and is therefore locked in a constant battle with herself. she also struggles with an eating disorder, and Andrews uses the most beautiful, poetic language to craft the emotions that our protagonist is dealing with, and i FELT them.
the story flits between time, as we are taken on a journey through our characters upbringing, but it is definitely easy to follow and doesn't cause confusion. she spends her younger years with her friends trying to conform to beauty standards and their warped perceptions of body image, and thus developing said eating disorder. she grows to feel like she is undeserving of love and struggles to find her place in the world. this is a beautiful story of finding yourself (as cliché as that sounds), and fundamentally loving yourself, and allowing yourself to be happy. so so so amazing and if you haven't read this yet, you're missing out.
the novel follows an unnamed female protagonist as she navigates her way through life living in small rooms, earning shit wages, meeting a boy she adores, but ultimately feeling like she does not deserve any kind of love and is therefore locked in a constant battle with herself. she also struggles with an eating disorder, and Andrews uses the most beautiful, poetic language to craft the emotions that our protagonist is dealing with, and i FELT them.
the story flits between time, as we are taken on a journey through our characters upbringing, but it is definitely easy to follow and doesn't cause confusion. she spends her younger years with her friends trying to conform to beauty standards and their warped perceptions of body image, and thus developing said eating disorder. she grows to feel like she is undeserving of love and struggles to find her place in the world. this is a beautiful story of finding yourself (as cliché as that sounds), and fundamentally loving yourself, and allowing yourself to be happy. so so so amazing and if you haven't read this yet, you're missing out.
samvanstokkom's review against another edition
i think this is just not for me. i did not enjoy the writing style at all. i couldn't get into it. i was missing a clear storyline and set of characters. this style might work for others; it may work for me in the future, but not right now