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stormeno's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse and Alcoholism
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
I knew nothing about this book so had no preconceptions going in, which I always love. It's such a heartwarming, sweet book but completely anchored in how messy and brutal reality can be. I liked being drip-fed snippets of Andrew's background and not really seeing him fully until close to the end; up until then it's not always easy to see his motives, although he never goes as far as becoming unsympathetic.
The writing is so easy to follow, with a light and funny style I was happy to keep coming back to. The humour gets really black at times, which feels inevitable given how so much of the plot deals closely with death. There are some lighter side characters to keep the tone from getting too sombre, although they all have their own issues and aren't all exactly likeable.
I particularly like how the book ends; it's one of my favourite tropes to not have everything tied up neatly with everyone well adjusted and happy. The idea remains that life isn't just fixed thanks to the events of a few pages; it's hopeful but ambiguous, and that I always find that easier to connect with.
The writing is so easy to follow, with a light and funny style I was happy to keep coming back to. The humour gets really black at times, which feels inevitable given how so much of the plot deals closely with death. There are some lighter side characters to keep the tone from getting too sombre, although they all have their own issues and aren't all exactly likeable.
I particularly like how the book ends; it's one of my favourite tropes to not have everything tied up neatly with everyone well adjusted and happy. The idea remains that life isn't just fixed thanks to the events of a few pages; it's hopeful but ambiguous, and that I always find that easier to connect with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcoholism and Abandonment
lbw's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
About midway it went in a direction I had not anticipated, and I felt the main character changed at that point for no reason. And yet, the story had a nice message and resolution so I don’t want to overly disparage it. I was in the mood for something relatively lighthearted, and in the end, this was that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Alcoholism
Minor: Child abuse
litliz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abandonment, Death of parent, Alcohol, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Vomit and Alcoholism
allyordyna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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
4.75
I’m just… blown away. I love how English this book was; I love this lost middle-aged man; I love this author who exudes Fredrick Backman levels of narrative skill and humor. Absolutely floored me how such a simple story could become so complex, emotional, down-to-earth, and even end with a bit of a twist! Reminds me why I love contemporary novels. Think “A Man Called Ove” + “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine”. As with any novel that explores sensitive themes, be sure to check the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Minor: Drug use
It made me sad to see his symptoms of a panic attack, and he just brushes them off like they’re normal. My man needs therapy and healing 😭gkelley's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcoholism
pjessodactyl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Alcoholism
stacy837's review
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Suicide attempt
menomica's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This book was so sweet and beautiful. I love Andrew so much and was rooting for him the whole time. I really love how it talks about grief and isolation. I also love how him and Peggy stayed friends. I don’t know, it was really nice. Also the ppl from the train sub, I love them all very much. Carl, however, is the biggest bitch baby there is. I literally had to put the book down several times to rant abt how much he sucked. But I appreciate he was there, because that showed the spectrum of grief.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
spinningjenny's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Lighthearted and kind
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Stalking, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism
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