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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Li's unflinching ability to sit in the abyss after the death of both of her sons to suicide makes this a hard read. But it is also a relief to read a work of mourning that refuses to follow our cultural patterns of grief (in one striking moment, Li rejects the word grief because it implies that there should be a process and an end to her grieving). It feels strange to call such a stark book beautiful, but it is.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I’m not going to rate because this book is so deeply personal and individual that I don’t think it’s rate-able.
As the author notes, this book is not and cannot be for most people. And some parts of the book certainly did not resonate with me, but many parts did. I was especially moved by discussions of how cliche and language fail us, how true compassion requires courage and dealing with our own discomfort, and the importance of meaningful, fearless friendship. I can see myself returning to this book and getting something different from it many times over the course of my life.
As the author notes, this book is not and cannot be for most people. And some parts of the book certainly did not resonate with me, but many parts did. I was especially moved by discussions of how cliche and language fail us, how true compassion requires courage and dealing with our own discomfort, and the importance of meaningful, fearless friendship. I can see myself returning to this book and getting something different from it many times over the course of my life.
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Suicide, Suicide attempt
I was scared to read this book. I lost one of my best mates to suicide a few years ago and I speak to his mum regularly. I wasn’t sure I could handle this book right now, but it turned out to be one of the most illuminating things I’ve ever read. It’s always very beautiful to read a book that connects with every feeling in your body - the kind of book you instantly message people about, thinking about the people we love and the ones we love and lose. I’ve been in a cloud of fog while coming off of my anti-depressants and this book shone through that with an empathy and clarity that feels transformative.
challenging
sad
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
It feels impossible to me to rate or review this book. It will stick with me for a long while.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced