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unfiltered_fiction's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I really wish I had read more reviews before delving into this book, as it is very, very mismarketed in my opinion. This is really not acceptable, as a lot of the content in this book is heavily traumatic and triggering, and not handled in a way that is suitable for many readers who have experienced the issues described. If you find yourself often distressed by difficult content in books, I'd advise skipping this one, or at least checking the content warnings on reviewing platforms. It is really not responsibly marketed; the blurb's trite assertion that this is a book about "three people learning to make connections and find joy in living off the leash" is pretty horrible, actually, when re-read after finishing the novel. That is one of the key reasons my star rating is so low, despite the fact that the quality of the prose and character development is quite strong. The author is definitely talented, and actually I would like to read her work again, but this is a really flawed book that needed much more sophisticated and involved work from the editorial and marketing teams.
I've seen a lot of reviews comparing this book to Eleanor Oliphant I'd Completely Fine, but I would absolutely disagree. Eleanor Oliphant is a story which allows the reader to really and thoroughly work through the main character's trauma and the obstacles she encounters alongside her; despite some heartbreaking lows, there is an overall sense of hope. This book almost completely lacks that for me, as two of the three main narratives end in different kinds of tragedy.
However, the worst tragedy of this book happens far, far too close to the end of the book, leaving the reader with no opportunity to process it. You have no sense of recovery; one of the main character's finds their lover dead after he has committed suicide, and there is very detailed description of the scene. There is no time for the character to heal, and we're even made to understand that he is never able to really open his heart to romantic love again, and only settles for a relationship that he's moderately happy in.
There is also a depiction of a woman with ASD, exacerbated by postpartum depression/PTSD after a miscarriage. This could have been a really nuanced and incisive opportunity for representing a neurodiverse character who has gone through a common but deeply traumatic life event; instead, the plot twist in her arc is demeaning and reductive as it is revealed that she turned to domestically abusing her husband as a coping mechanism. Although I am certain this has happened in real life on occasions, it is a deeply irresponsible way to present a character who many readers will be looking to in order to feel represented and seen.
I was also incredibly infuriated by the prologue/opening scene, which shows a snapshot of the three main characters and their respective secondary characters, all well and relatively happy. This lulls the reader into a false sense of security, indicating that you will get a hopeful and uplifting conclusion, but as I've outlined above, you really don't. I do not have a problem with books that show life's problems sometimes cannot be easily, wholly resolved. There is plenty of room in the market for heavier books which look at the sadder parts of reality. But it is so incredibly irresponsible and infuriating to see a book which is completely presented through its marketing and its opening moments as a hopeful, uplifting read, but that will have many of its readers walking away feeling deeply upset, even actively distressed by how some of the themes are handled.
I've seen a lot of reviews comparing this book to Eleanor Oliphant I'd Completely Fine, but I would absolutely disagree. Eleanor Oliphant is a story which allows the reader to really and thoroughly work through the main character's trauma and the obstacles she encounters alongside her; despite some heartbreaking lows, there is an overall sense of hope. This book almost completely lacks that for me, as two of the three main narratives end in different kinds of tragedy.
There is also a depiction of a woman with ASD, exacerbated by postpartum depression/PTSD after a miscarriage. This could have been a really nuanced and incisive opportunity for representing a neurodiverse character who has gone through a common but deeply traumatic life event; instead, the plot twist in her arc is demeaning and reductive
I was also incredibly infuriated by the prologue/opening scene, which shows a snapshot of the three main characters and their respective secondary characters, all well and relatively happy. This lulls the reader into a false sense of security, indicating that you will get a hopeful and uplifting conclusion, but as I've outlined above, you really don't. I do not have a problem with books that show life's problems sometimes cannot be easily, wholly resolved. There is plenty of room in the market for heavier books which look at the sadder parts of reality. But it is so incredibly irresponsible and infuriating to see a book which is completely presented through its marketing and its opening moments as a hopeful, uplifting read, but that will have many of its readers walking away feeling deeply upset, even actively distressed by how some of the themes are handled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Miscarriage, Violence, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
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