Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

6 reviews

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

okiecozyreader's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Interestingly, this book is similar to Burst, which I recently finished. Both are about a main character and her difficult relationship with her mother. They both deal with difficult topics and kind of end in somewhat similar ways.

This one however, also focuses on the relationship between sisters, in this complicated and kind of ugly family dynamic. Their mom is abusive and her sister is in a relationship with an abusive guy, who also abuses her. When that dynamic comes to an awful point, Meredith basically locks herself in her home, in which she hasn’t left for over 1000 days. Fortunately, she has a good friend who regularly checks on her. She is also curious about herself and her past, and is willing to make steps to move forward.

With found family and many likable characters, it makes this book with some difficult topics, very likable ones itself. It takes place in Glasgow and the area in which she lives is almost a character unto itself. I couldn’t stop thinking about Meredith. My mind would check on her throughout the day. She is a very unique and interesting character - likable even though she is living very much alone.

“Sometimes people don’t point out the obvious.” Day 1222

“…she manages to get a photo of me looking like a normal, fun-loving forty-year-old woman who might not be living her best life but is trying her hardest.” Day 1392

“Before we leave, I stare at her face, trying to find a tiny piece of love.” Day 1446

“I’ve always been interested in the distinction between loneliness and being alone.” Author Q&A

“To quote Virginia Woolf, “In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” The Joy of Being Alone

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Rape, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer

cute_koala's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

Quite honestly one of the largest emotional roller coasters I’ve ever been on. I felt seen by Meredith’s thoughts and experiences, and I loved that her support system stayed strong with her and kept her on her path, but let her move at her own pace.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Self harm, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Cancer, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Rape, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse

dracovulpini's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Bullying, Death of parent, Cancer, Physical abuse, and Cursing

maevebm'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

5.0

Somehow this was a cozy and comforting story. Obviously there is some sadness given the character’s situation and mental health; but, more often than not, there was a sense of hope that made this a lovely read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm

Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, and Miscarriage