Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

22 reviews

besidemyshelf's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Mental illness

catrinlj's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? Yes

3.5

I’m a bit conflicted about this book. I listened to the audiobook and I must admit that it was beautifully read by the narrator. However, I found the themes quite heavy and the amount of misery experienced by the main character felt a bit unrelenting after a certain point - it was not a book I necessarily looked forward to continuing during my commute! There were some moments of lighter humour, and Meredith and her friends were kind-hearted and thoughtful characters, but overall it felt a bit too slow and too heavy-going for me to be able to say I properly enjoyed it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Miscarriage and Cancer

lymadebell's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A slice of life book that is about an agoraphobe. I thought this book showed a real growth of character for Meredith and honestly, even for Tom and Meredith's sister Fiona. This book was still incredibly sad even though there was growth and happiness. It was all about trauma and grief and how we deal with it. I wish this book was a bit more happy, but it felt more real that it didn't have magical happy endings all over the place. If you're looking for a book about mental health and how humans deal with grief and trauma, this is a great book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Miscarriage

There was wide descriptions of emotional abuse from a parent. There was also a number of situations where rape was mentioned or eluded to.

becky_bo0p's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Child abuse

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

This book, while such a good read, is also a super hard read. I recommend to only read this book in a good headspace, because it is very heavy and definitely not for everyone.

But it was for me amazingly. There are elements of hope and light in the darkness, such as found family and supportive friends. There is also very deep complex trauma and family relationships in this book, and the entirety of the effects and messy healing process are not concealed or tied in a pretty bow. We get the real, raw deal in this book. Not a lighthearted read, but a real read with a lot of depth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Violence, Death, Cancer, and Abandonment

_bailey_reads_'s review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.5

This book impressed me with its ability to get mental illness right. I’ve read so many books about mentally I’ll characters who go to therapy and i always feel like they never are able to encapsulate the true experience. 

Also I can tell the author of this book did their research on what a therapist is actually like or has actually been to therapy themselves. It was refreshing to read a book where the therapist actually gave the character sound advice and there was an actual relationship and bond formed between therapist and client. 

The overall story was well written, Meredith is a complicated character and who is deeply struggling. I found myself really relating to her. I think she’s a character that would be difficult for people to relate to if they have little to no experience with severe anxiety or depression. I was rooting for her from beginning to end. Her journey is not an easy one and as the story unfolds more and more is revealed about Meredith and why she is the way she is. 

I really recommend this to anyone suffering from severe anxiety or depression. Anyone who feels hopeless and like life is not going to get better. This book made me feel less alone and gave me some hope that I will get through the difficult times!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Miscarriage, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Self harm, Pregnancy, Grief, and Body horror

dekedescombes's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, and Self harm

Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization

mwhite0226's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Cancer, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape

keirahelena_'s review

emotional 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage

brimcnull's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

I had no idea what to expect when picking up this book. I chose it because the cover was beautiful and it had a cat on it. 

Meredith, Alone is a dual timeline novel that features a lovable character with significant trauma, anxiety, and depression. I believe the author handles the book with care and puts people in Meredith’s life to support her as she processes her trauma. 

Meredith hasn’t left her apartment for three years, but wants that to change. This book is a testament to how therapy, good friends , and a cat, can help bring healing one moment at a time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cancer and Alcohol