Scan barcode
rcy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Abortion
victoria_catherine_shaw's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Addiction, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death of parent, Child death, Death, and Abandonment
_inge's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book doesn’t use quotation marks, and the numbered chapters usually indicate a shift in perspective. This does make it a bit confusing to follow sometimes. You could be reading multiple chapters from Carmel’s perspective, only to find a chapter from Ritchie’s point of view following those up without a prior warning. There’s quite a few characters to keep up with too, initially. I had to backtrack sometimes, either to figure out who’s who, but also to see who’s perspective I’m reading from. It doesn’t help that certain segments are paragraphs filled with a character’s thoughts, either.
In the interview on the last pages of my paperback copy, the author states they’d decided to remove major parts featuring Tom’s perspective as the focus should be on the family, not on him. I do get where this is coming from, but at the same time I thought Tom was always meant to be the one tying the story together. He’s the only character completely outside of the family, and he’s pretty one-sided most times (which the family isn’t either). He’s downright awful! But that’s what made his perspectives a nice change. He’s the only character who’s this full of himself, thinks this lowly of others and who has ulterior motives. I found his character fascinating and would’ve liked to see more of him. Once again during my Women’s Prize For Fiction 2024 reading I’m also noticing the blurb doesn’t really do this justice. The blurb made it out to be like Tom is the main focus here, so going into this I thought we’d get a deep delve into how the press works and what they’re capable of to get to a story first. These elements were there, but they never felt that important now.
Similarly, Lucy’s perspective wasn’t needed, in my opinion. In the interview Nolan says she wrote from her perspective when Lucy becomes a teen, to avoid having to write for a kid. But because the writing style doesn’t change from any of the (adult) characters in this book whatsoever, Lucy’s perspective felt a bit off. I knew she wouldn’t be thinking in the way she’s described to be doing here, which is lengthy sentences and an expansive vocabulary for how she really feels.
This is a really captivating read, every character felt alive to me. I would’ve liked less of Lucy and more of Tom, but that’s all personal preferences and I get why the author chose to go in this direction instead.
Graphic: Alcohol, Mental illness, Death, Abortion, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Vomit, Death of parent, Drug use, and Violence
happyknitter2020's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Intergenerational story of challenging lived experiences, which led a 10 year old to take the life of a toddler.
Reflects on the impact of trauma attachments throughout a whole family & the media culture too.
A tragic story, hopefully will be shortlisted.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Alcohol, and Grief
maggiemcfly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abortion, Classism, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
grunbean's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Though centred around a tragic event, this story isn’t focused on this and the answer to it. It explores the stories of the family members and what made them who they are. I wanted to cry when I read the paths the characters were taking. I think it’s very much a book to be read than explained. I will be looking into the others books from this author.
My final thought is a sincere f@!# you to Tom Hargreaves.
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Classism, Alcoholism, and Child death
brinnavirginia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Rape, Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
carolineolesky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abortion, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Addiction, Mental illness, and Alcoholism
linguaphile412's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Child death
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Grief, Death, Child abuse, and Death of parent
bubblegum_or_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abortion, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Murder, Death, and Child death
Minor: Cancer, Grief, and Infidelity