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Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent
The synopsis could have been better; the book follows three timelines of an abused wife making one of three choices in naming her newborn son: naming him after his father as forced (Gordon), naming him a silly name her daughter chose (Bear), or naming him something less ridiculous but still not what expected of her as her own internal compromise (Julian). It goes into great detail about what will happen to her and everyone around her for the next few decades for each choice.
Do not read if pregnant, postpartum, or have any unresolved negative emotions surrounding either. Do not read if upset by domestic violence.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Car accident, Pandemic/Epidemic
I’ll start this by saying, please note a vast amount of trigger warnings on this book in particular DV.
But that doesn’t stop me saying wow.
I found this really tricky to get into to start with. I think I struggled to see the, effectively, three different perspectives to life and one life event from our main character that the book is based around, Cora.
It looks at 3 different perspectives of one different name. There is so much heart break, yet elements of joy, break through, progress, set backs, holding on to hope and a sense of peacefulness in parts, that is hard to pin point the emotional journey this book highlights. But also the intricacy in the approach to the reality that the domestic violence has on individuals and their families and the toxic consequences, cycle and impact it has on their perspective.
Whilst I will admit it was a real challenge to read, i personally found the approach, albeit a little confusing at first, a wonderfully and carefully written piece reflecting the challenges and effects of domestic violence.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Dementia
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder
To start out, this was an incredible book. I felt like I was people-watching, except that I was invited to watch and learn. This book is VERY heavy and is not something that should be read without knowing the trigger-warnings. However, if you're in a good mindset, this is a very interesting read. For a debut novel, this is amazing.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent