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softboiledegg's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I want to hold peoples beating hearts in my hands. I want to see all their arteries... I want to trick them into loving me. I want to test whether I can be loved.
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia
bisexualbookshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Enid’s character is a rich tapestry of contradictions. Her anxiety and dark humor make her both relatable and compelling, while her paranoia and morally dubious choices—like having an affair with another woman’s wife—add layers of complexity. Austin’s portrayal of Enid’s struggle to navigate her various roles to appear 'normal' is particularly poignant and indicative of autistic traits, which resonates deeply with neurodivergent readers.
One of the most touching aspects of the novel is Enid's relationship with her mother. This bond provides a stabilizing force in Enid’s tumultuous life, highlighting the importance of familial support in the face of mental health challenges. The depiction of Enid’s mother’s grief and her efforts to raise a disabled, neurodivergent child on her own adds a layer of emotional depth to the story.
The narrative’s structure, however, is a bit uneven. The first third of the book feels overloaded with various subplots—Enid's half-sisters, her job, her mother, her paranoia, her self-loathing, and her dating life. This initially makes the story feel disjointed and slow to start. Yet, once the focus sharpens,
While the book excels in many areas, it also stumbles in some significant ways.
Another point of contention is the portrayal of Cognitive Reprocessing Therapy (CRT). As a trauma therapist in training, I find this therapy controversial due to its potential to retraumatize patients by forcing them to confront walled-off memories. While Austin’s representation might be accurate to her or Enid’s experience, it risks misleading readers about the general efficacy and safety of such treatments.
In summary, "Interesting Facts About Space" shines in its representation of autism and PTSD, and its exploration of Enid's inner world and relationships. The dark humor and unique quirks of Enid’s character are major strengths. However, the problematic subplot
📖 Recommended For: Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives, Fans of dark humor and quirky characters, Admirers of psychological and emotional depth, Those interested in autism and PTSD representation, Lovers of intricate and metaphorical storytelling.
🔑 Key Themes: Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms, Familial Relationships and Support, Paranoia and Intuition, Self-Discovery and Personal Growth, Autistic and PTSD Experiences.
Graphic: Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt and Self harm
ukponge's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Death, Abandonment, Bullying, Infidelity, and Homophobia
spec_tacles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, Stalking, and Grief
ehwhateverest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Ableism, Abandonment, Death of parent, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content
bug_lightyear's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment and Murder
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Homophobia
randeerebecca's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Outing, Abandonment, and Pregnancy
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
katiewhocanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Ableism, Bullying, Stalking, Mental illness, and Homophobia
Minor: Self harm, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Suicide attempt
emilybacher's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm
leontyna's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, Suicide attempt, Death, and Homophobia