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crazytourists_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I can't believe I ended up liking this book.
I did struggle at first, with the narration style, I found it kind of juvenile and obnoxious, and that feeling lasted for quite a while; for about one-third of the book. Every few pages I was contemplating about stopping reading. And then it kind of fell into place and the narration made sense, and I started to be submerged in the story. Up until the diagnosis paragraph where the actual diagnosis is withheld and dashes are put in ita name. I don't get it. It's the kind of thing that perpetuates the shame and stigma, not naming what we fear. The specifics weren't needed; if the structure of the story was a bit different, I think the author could get away with all this mess. And then comes the end, which I quite liked, and the characters are still in pain but have grown, and it's not overly happy, which is a good thing. It is rather real.
So, an experience with its ups and downs, but on the positive side in the end.
I did struggle at first, with the narration style, I found it kind of juvenile and obnoxious, and that feeling lasted for quite a while; for about one-third of the book. Every few pages I was contemplating about stopping reading. And then it kind of fell into place and the narration made sense, and I started to be submerged in the story. Up until the diagnosis paragraph where the actual diagnosis is withheld and dashes are put in ita name. I don't get it. It's the kind of thing that perpetuates the shame and stigma, not naming what we fear. The specifics weren't needed; if the structure of the story was a bit different, I think the author could get away with all this mess. And then comes the end, which I quite liked, and the characters are still in pain but have grown, and it's not overly happy, which is a good thing. It is rather real.
So, an experience with its ups and downs, but on the positive side in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Addiction, Grief, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
rakkaussipsi's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
novi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've read this book for so long idk how to talk about it. I spent 6 months reading it lmao. Okay. This is a character driven book and the character has a mental illness. It wasn't mentioned what, but in the back of the book it said that it was a fictional illness. I don't really know a lot about mental illness but the symptoms are similar to at least depression. So. We're with this character all the time. And it was hard sometimes bc she can be very annoying at times. I stopped reading in the beginning bc of how ungrateful she was of her husband. As far as we know he did nothing wrong (and he really did!). But i really like the writing style and i think i'm going to like what this book is trying to offer. I LOVE stream of consciousness writing.
Reading this kinda reminds me of: "Really Good, Actually" by Monica Heisey (bc of the stream of consciousness and funny writing, and bc it's a journey of a woman towards having a breakdown. But "Sorrow and Bliss" was more rollercoaster-y mentally and has a more sombre tone to it), and the movie "About Time" (bc of this big british family characters that are very present in the book and they're all unique although not as functional as the movie).
People always talk about the sisterhood in this book and yes. I agree. It's so heartwarming in a non-cheesy way, bc these sisters refused anything cringy lol so don't worry. But it was so warm and made me cry.
I cried at the end of this book. It was a touched-cry. Not a sad-cry. My worry when starting this book was it's gonna be depressing. But for me personally, it's not. Like I said there are times where the main character was so so unbelievably annoying, but it was then balanced with a loooot of warmth and hug from other characters and the main character herself. And the humor. I love the humor.
I still don't know if i'm gonna give it 4 or 4.5 stars though. idk why
Reading this kinda reminds me of: "Really Good, Actually" by Monica Heisey (bc of the stream of consciousness and funny writing, and bc it's a journey of a woman towards having a breakdown. But "Sorrow and Bliss" was more rollercoaster-y mentally and has a more sombre tone to it), and the movie "About Time" (bc of this big british family characters that are very present in the book and they're all unique although not as functional as the movie).
People always talk about the sisterhood in this book and yes. I agree. It's so heartwarming in a non-cheesy way, bc these sisters refused anything cringy lol so don't worry. But it was so warm and made me cry.
I cried at the end of this book. It was a touched-cry. Not a sad-cry. My worry when starting this book was it's gonna be depressing. But for me personally, it's not. Like I said there are times where the main character was so so unbelievably annoying, but it was then balanced with a loooot of warmth and hug from other characters and the main character herself. And the humor. I love the humor.
I still don't know if i'm gonna give it 4 or 4.5 stars though. idk why
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism
reneerianne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
This was extremely touching and simultaneously infuriating because it shed an important light on the stigmatization of mental health conditions and the impact that that can have on an individual. I found the perspective of this novel very refreshing because you’re inside the mind of the main character who struggles with an undefined mental illness. I loved that the main character Martha is so introspective and honest about her thoughts about her condition (when she gets a diagnosis she is so relieved to finally know what is up!) and I just loved the ending. Really well written in that regards and I just fell in love with the characters despite their unlikable traits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage and Toxic relationship
maggienistler's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
books4em's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is all vibes, no plot. Not going to lie, was not a fan of this book at all. I related to the feelings of relief and understanding when she got her diagnosis, but that was about it. It’s a hot mess and the side characters are all over the place as well. They often claim to be doing their best to help the MC, but that “best” is a rally low bar. I also thought it should’ve ended at the journal scene. The ending is a good ending for this book, but I still don’t think the last 30ish pages were necessary. Won’t be rereading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
jackalexdale's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Abortion, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
liesbethvv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
This book really grew on me. I felt a bit disconnected from the main character Martha from the beginning, as she struggles through her relationships, romantically and within her family and friends but the second half of the book just blew me away. How well constructed, how painful to see the unreliable narrator fall into despair and with a few plot twist thrown in the different topics just slot together so well.
I must say this is definitely not a lighthearted or laugh-out-loud funny book to me, but the banter between Martha and her sister Ingrid is so, so drily funny it made me smile a lot.
I would definitely recommend this read, albeit a hard one, if only to augment one’s empathy towards the others, you never know what a person is dealing with.
I must say this is definitely not a lighthearted or laugh-out-loud funny book to me, but the banter between Martha and her sister Ingrid is so, so drily funny it made me smile a lot.
I would definitely recommend this read, albeit a hard one, if only to augment one’s empathy towards the others, you never know what a person is dealing with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence
hayleyvharrington's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion
lifesarosch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Love sad women. But actually a lovely book on mental illness and grief and healing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage