Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

7 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

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

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

feeling_myshelf's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Gaslighting, and Mental illness

Minor: Child abuse and Eating disorder

morethanmylupus's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a beautiful look at the work required to process trauma, how people are and aren't supportive of a person's needs, and the value of found family. It wasn't an easy book to read, both due to Meredith's current state and the flashbacks into her difficult childhood and the trauma that led to her staying inside her house for years. Please check content warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Rape

drraytay's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying

Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Car accident and Cancer

brokenbodybitch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Mental illness, Rape, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Ableism