Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

35 reviews

kimveach's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

It took me about 50 pages to get into this book, but then I couldn't put it down.  I loved it and feel like this place and characters are old friends.

This book may not be for everyone.  The non-linear storyline can be confusing.  I'm not sure it would work as an audiobook.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Incest, Infidelity, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Vomit

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Cancer, Child death, Medical content, and Terminal illness

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

alisonhp's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

So sad, but also so beautiful. I don’t know what to make of it all… the story or the ending. The first book was so hard for me — Elle seemed so cold, and then her story unfolded reminding me, as the best books do, that there is always more to a person’s story than what initially meets the eye. I’m glad I continued reading when I was thinking of putting it down.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness

pollyflorence's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, and Infidelity

lcg527's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Abandonment

happiestwhenreading's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

The Paper Palace wasn’t on my radar initially, but I got it in the mail from my Bookshelf Subscription (not an ad or sponsorship, I pay for this service with my own money!) and then I started to see it all over #bookstagram due to Reese Witherspoon choosing it for her July book. The exposure definitely made me move it to the top of my list.

I went into this one completely blind; I didn’t read any reviews and I didn’t read the synopsis. Instead, the story slowly unfolded before me and I’m so glad I didn’t know what I was getting into. This is a very complicated, dark story that explores themes of unrequited love, the damaging effects of secrets, and how certain events can change the course of one’s life.

The writing is beautiful; I’m surprised that this complex story was pulled off by a debut author. Cowley Heller wove two timelines – present day and the fifty years of Elle’s life – seamlessly and I was equally captured by both. As the secrets and darkness are revealed, the story became much more propulsive and compelling. This is not a light beach read; however, this is a great summer read due to the atmospheric setting of Cape Cod in the summer. 

I would highly encourage sensitive readers to do some research before picking this one up, but if you can handle difficult topics, I’d recommend going in blind!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, and Grief