Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

3 reviews

savvylit's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

The best aspect of Sorrow and Bliss is the way that Mason portrays the personal significance of receiving an accurate mental health diagnosis. Martha, the main character, spends the majority of this novel struggling with her mental illness. She has deep depressive episodes. She tries multiple medications. The relief at finally knowing her (unnamed to readers) diagnosis was both palpable and powerful.

A difficult thing about this novel is that Martha uses her mental health struggles as an excuse to be genuinely rude and cruel to her loved ones. Especially her husband. Though eventually she realizes she's actually an asshole outside of her diagnosis, it was excruciating to experience Martha being needlessly mean-spirited.

Overall, I liked Sorrow and Bliss and following Martha's journey. The whole novel felt really realistic, even (and especially) in its most unlikeable moments.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Pregnancy

coffeespooncait's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Alcohol, Miscarriage, Addiction, and Alcoholism

Minor: Abortion and Death of parent

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

this was such an amazing portrayal of mental illness and the effect it has on the people around you. it just was a little slow and monotonous at points :/

the ending was amazing though

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, and Grief