Reviews with content warning for Dementia - Gespenster

Reviews tagging 'Dementia'

Gespenster by Dolly Alderton

122 reviews

chloelawrence127's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

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crazytourists_books's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I think that people who like romance and romantic comedies will have a lovely time reading this book (even though it's nothing "new"). Also, people in their early to mid thirties, who see parts of themselves in the characters of the book, will have a lovely time reading it.
Unfortunately, I am none of these people. I got bored, I won't lie, and I also got a bit frustrated with the feminist façade. It's like Alderton added a few feminist quotes, just to make sure that she won't be accused for internalised misogyny, but under the surface, it was full of casual sexism.
The only thing that resonated with me was the fear of losing a parent and how motherhood changes everything (not only for those of us that experience it but also for our friends that are not).

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maanbloem's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

While I thoroughly enjoyed the first half, the second half made this one of my new favourite books ever, which I didn't expect. The book follows 32 year old Nina trying to navigate her life as a single woman while almost all her friends are married with children (or getting there), getting ghosted by this POS and her parents - mother in a midlife crisis, father suffering from dementia and luckily, an actual feminist message. I didn't expect to love this book so much but it made me cry and feel somewhat hopeful at the same time. Dolly Alderton's writing is beautiful and considering this is her debut novel, I am looking forward to many more of her stunning proserve.

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isobelk_18's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

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itsheyfay's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

My god this wasn’t the book I planned to start 2023 with, but I’m glad it’s over with because I had a hard time enjoying this. Some of the more serious parts revolving her dad’s dementia and her grief of growing up were well-written, but everything else felt so pompous. I get it’s supposed to be satirical and making social commentary, but this wasn’t vibing for me. I was definitely not the I tended audience for this book. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

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Fucks sake I’m not reading anymore books with “I’m not like other girls” main characters!!!! Nina is a judgmental, condescending bully who criticizes 1.all her married friends for “following the rules” 2. her mom for trying to find joys and new things in middle age and 3. her one single friend for being “too quick”. This self proclaimed feminist character is the reason people say they hate feminism-SHES NOT A FEMINIST. Feminism is about choosing what you want whether it’s kids, no kids, monogamous marriage, polyamory, singledom whatever the hell YOU want not what others want for you.

It’s 2023-STOP WRITING THIS BS

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cerilouisereads's review against another edition

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emotional medium-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? It's complicated

3.0

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sakisreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny medium-paced

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

3.5

I loved Dolly Alderton’s ‘Everything I Know About Love’ when I read it, so I had very high expectations for this story. I have to say I was slightly disappointed, as it wasn’t as gripping as her other materials and it felt pretty predictable, but I did like the small nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout 😊

Her dad’s dementia and Max’s predictable comeback (but slightly shaky second ghosting) were definitely parts I found difficult to read but interesting too! I did not expect Max to disappear a second time, but I shouldn’t have been surprised 🙃

This was a quaint quote:

‘You always told me that literature belongs to everyone, and that we should never feel intimidated by it.’

I’m going to recommend this one to friends that enjoy Alderton’s work and to some millennial friends who are working through lifestyle changes (e.g. navigating friendships, motherhood etc.) ✨

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gertrudski's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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laurataylor's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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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