Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

68 reviews

froon's review

5.0

another one for the sad, mentally ill lesbians!

austin is so incredibly adept at capturing interesting and complex characters. in a book that is largely plotless, the characters must be engaging enough to carry the story. and i found the characters in this book did that with ease. it also helps that their relationships with each other are often fraught and messy and so full of love. in a way, they resonate in the middle space of sadness and joy that feels so human and real, making it impossible not to be invested in their lives. on top of that, austin is so good at writing the most devastating lines ever. it will be a simple phrase, oftentimes an action, but it will communicate so much about a interaction/relationship. (pulling on randomly of enid and her mom “she gasps and points, and i watch her face light up rather than the sky” p.75 like isn’t that so AHHHH).

i loved enid as a narrator too. enid is a bit of a disaster (but she working on it) and so, unintentionally, funny. there’s a discord between the very real trauma she’s working through and the absurdity of everyday life. it ends up being heartbreaking, hilarious, and real. i can see if people get tired of sitting in her brain, but, to me, it was a joy.

in the author’s note, emily austin said the enid was inspired by a boygenius song which makes my review of everyone in this room will someday be dead (“gilda is so chinese satellite by phoebe bridgers”) canon now :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Self harm

megtall's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness

Minor: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Outing, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

felix_benjamin's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, and Suicide attempt

kelkelkelkelly's review

dark emotional funny 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

4.5

I loved this book so much. Enid is a vivid, authentic character that bundles her quirks, flaws, desires and fears together in a beautifully authentic way. The cast of characters are all unique and feel very real, and the writing style has this clipped, frank style that really suits Enid’s POV. The plot does hinge on miscommunication tropes, but it works with the relationships in the story. There are some unexpectedly chilling and creepy moments that make this a real page-turner. This story will stay with me for a while.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, and Violence

bugle's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I laughed, I cried (several times), I didn’t want it to end. I found Enid extremely relatable and the story engaging. The ending was neat and meaningful in a really satisfying way, especially against the (familiar) chaos of Enid’s thought clouds. I’m really grateful I found this book and can’t wait to share it with friends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

Moderate: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Homophobia

Minor: Pregnancy and Death of parent

kerianne0's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Bullying

laurx92's review

emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

4.75

Emily Austin writes anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders in such a fun, painful, honest, and real way. I will happily keep reading whatever she puts out!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

agracerobinson's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-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

I had an unshakeable feeling in my stomach while reading this and I couldn’t put it down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Stalking, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Murder

disguisedposer's review

challenging emotional funny inspiring sad fast-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

Five stars. I love this author. She makes me feel so seen. If you've ever wondered what it's like inside the mind of a neurodivergent person, read one of her books. I also highly recommend Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by her.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit

dogoodwithbooks's review

dark emotional funny fast-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

4.5

 If I could describe this book in two words, it would be uniquely weird. But in a good way. 

With a fresh narrative voice, Interesting Facts About Space is an excellent novel focused on recognizing our pasts and how to let others in. Austin’s writing style helps create Enid to be a relatable character that highlights our doubts as humans as well as living in a world as an autistic person. I also felt that the pacing that Austin utilizes was executed well and keeps you drawn in. However, if you don’t get the narrative voice or the jump-change in scenes, this book might not be for you. This book is also not for you if you don’t like graphic discussions about true crime and true crime podcasts since Enid does talk about it a lot in the book. 

If you want a book similar to Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or you want something similar to a Sally Rooney novel (but were left down by her work), I would definitely recommend reading Interesting Facts About Space. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, and Stalking

Minor: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Fire/Fire injury