Scan barcode
my_a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Self harm
Minor: Cancer
literarycrushes's review against another edition
3.0
Claire Alexander’s Meredith, Alone deals with several challenging subjects: toxic family relationships, mental illness, and self-harm. We first meet Meredith on day 1,214 of not leaving her home. While the pandemic has undoubtedly reshaped the world’s view on self-imposed isolation and staying home, this is still an unimaginable amount of time to stay home alone. It’s an interesting premise, as (I assume… but maybe that’s just me?) many of us have toyed with or been tempted by the idea of giving it all up and existing in some sort of solitary way (to clarify- I don’t mean that in a depressive way, more in a *sick of humanity* way), in the comfort and confines of your own making. And yet tempting as that idea may be, it is unachievable in actuality for countless reasons… until it becomes the only possible method of survival, as it was for Meredith.
The novel alternates between present-day Glasgow (2019), her childhood/teenage years in the early ‘90s, and the time of a highly traumatic event in the early 2000s. While Meredith is, at the opening of the book, estranged from her mother and sister, Fiona, she is lucky enough to have a rotating cast of characters who care deeply for her and her wellbeing in ways that many recluses do not. While overall, I found the language and relationships to be a little too cozy/cutesy for my taste, I was impressed by the novel’s heartfelt ruminations/discussions surrounding mental illness and the lasting trauma of toxic familial situations and sexual assault.
The novel alternates between present-day Glasgow (2019), her childhood/teenage years in the early ‘90s, and the time of a highly traumatic event in the early 2000s. While Meredith is, at the opening of the book, estranged from her mother and sister, Fiona, she is lucky enough to have a rotating cast of characters who care deeply for her and her wellbeing in ways that many recluses do not. While overall, I found the language and relationships to be a little too cozy/cutesy for my taste, I was impressed by the novel’s heartfelt ruminations/discussions surrounding mental illness and the lasting trauma of toxic familial situations and sexual assault.
my_aa222's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
dguttendorf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
quiteliterary's review against another edition
5.0
eleanor oliphant is completely fine? no, meredith maggs is completely fine.
i love everything bout this novel so much. from characters, the cat, pacing of this book, dialogues to how it ending.
aaaaaaaahhhhhh this novel officially has a special place in my heart.
i love everything bout this novel so much. from characters, the cat, pacing of this book, dialogues to how it ending.
aaaaaaaahhhhhh this novel officially has a special place in my heart.
mollyje's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
spray76's review against another edition
1.0
This was just not a good book to me. The only reason I finished it was because it was a Book of the Month choice for a reading group I'm in. It was too sad, and honestly, so many chapters were just words to fill a page and didn't add anything to the story.