Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

46 reviews

savvyrosereads's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

4.0

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for providing me with a free audio copy!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Meredith has not left her house for over three years, but slowly begins to make progress on the journey to healing with the help of her friends.

This is extremely character-driven literary fiction, and I’m glad I read it on audio because that is usually my preferred format for that genre! I expected a meditation on mental health, and instead got one on friendship, sisterhood, and trauma…which is fine, but not exactly what the synopsis seems to suggest. That said, I found the characters really enjoyable, and Meredith’s journey was super poignant and beautiful. I was a bit frustrated because I kept wanting *more* from the book (though exactly what I can’t articulate)…but would still recommend to lit fic lovers in the mood for some very deep topics!

CW: Self harm; sexual assault; physical and emotional abuse; mental health/trauma generally

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders

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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Self harm

Minor: Cancer

alicelalicon's review against another edition

emotional inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Self harm

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.

revengesrose's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Infidelity, Alcohol, Cancer, and Death of parent

coligmueller's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Self harm

bookclubbitches's review against another edition

4.0

Ohhhhhhhh Meredith.

I really enjoyed getting to know her and the dual timeline of past and present. I thought she was very well rounded for hiding away in her house for so long and her story was very interesting.

The characters felt very complete, I thought every character was quite tangible and believable. 

I was so happy she made a new friend, left her house, reconnected with her sister, that her mom died (lol bye bitch) and that she finally made a police report about what happened all those years ago. 

I was truly not expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Rape

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Suicide

eggatha's review against another edition

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Sexual assault

showmeyourbookies's review against another edition

emotional funny 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? N/A

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Mental illness, and Self harm