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kerriboland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? No
4.5
I am so grateful that I have had neither challenges with infertility, nor child death or severe disability before I read this.
What a gut punch of a novel. What a beautiful, important, horrible gut punch. Realistic, honest, just, beautiful, horribly sad and incredibly powerful. Beautifully written, amazingly translated.
What a gut punch of a novel. What a beautiful, important, horrible gut punch. Realistic, honest, just, beautiful, horribly sad and incredibly powerful. Beautifully written, amazingly translated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Child death, Chronic illness, Grief, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Infertility, and Child abuse
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Lyrical prose and Immediately pulled in! I was loving the characters and getting to know them. I related to Alina and her feelings surrounding infertility during her journey to motherhood.
I picked this up from the library and 15 pages in I wanted to go out and buy a copy because there were so many lines I wanted to mark!
Beautiful, moving story of motherhood in its various forms and what it means to care for others. Definitely a novel I’ll be thinking about for a long time and a fave for the month!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual content
madelinedalton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book was so “me” and I gobbled it up. I’m 24 and do not want children, and I spend a lot of time thinking about how my life will change in my 30s when my friends have kids while I don’t. I felt so seen by Laura. Her relationship to motherhood and caring for children is exactly the same as mine. As I read, I constantly underlined quotes—not just about Laura, but about everything. Such a thought provoking and validating read!!
I do wish we had gotten a bit more background on how Alina went from not wanting kids to wanting one so badly that she’d pursue any available fertility treatment. It felt a bit sudden, and I was curious how she arrived at that decision, but I feel like I never got that. Laura’s growing affection for Nicolás also felt underdeveloped. I also found the ending a bit jarring and unsatisfying.
Overall, this was an excellent read and helped me get out of a reading slump!!
I do wish we had gotten a bit more background on how Alina went from not wanting kids to wanting one so badly that she’d pursue any available fertility treatment. It felt a bit sudden, and I was curious how she arrived at that decision, but I feel like I never got that. Laura’s growing affection for Nicolás also felt underdeveloped. I also found the ending a bit jarring and unsatisfying.
Overall, this was an excellent read and helped me get out of a reading slump!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Child abuse, Infertility, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcoholism
toria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Still Born
by Guadalupe Nettel
I have a few things the same before I start reviewing this book. Firstly, thanks to the publishers for allowing me to see this book and give you an honest review. Secondly, this book is a Challenging read, which may prove triggering to some readers. It includes descriptions of: difficult familial relationships, childbirth and its difficulties, discussions of the abortion/termination of children, etc.. However, if you feel strong enough to read this challenging book. Then it is well worth the challenge. It is a well-written, emotionally engaging work; which looks at very important issues. It’s another win for Fitzcarraldo.
by Guadalupe Nettel
I have a few things the same before I start reviewing this book. Firstly, thanks to the publishers for allowing me to see this book and give you an honest review. Secondly, this book is a Challenging read, which may prove triggering to some readers. It includes descriptions of: difficult familial relationships, childbirth and its difficulties, discussions of the abortion/termination of children, etc.. However, if you feel strong enough to read this challenging book. Then it is well worth the challenge. It is a well-written, emotionally engaging work; which looks at very important issues. It’s another win for Fitzcarraldo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Medical content
Discussions concerning the value of disabled people.
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