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sophs_mood_reading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Mercy has spent the last two years hiding from the world in her house, her dachshund Wasabi her only companion . Other then the obvious her biggest problem now is that this sanctuary/prison has burnt to the ground. She’s homeless, alone and agoraphobic.
So after a disastrous stay at her ex-husbands (and his new boyfriends) house, Mercy somehow ends up buying a 40 year old red Daihatsu Hijet and putting pedal to the metal heads north from Adelaide, her destination.. anywhere but here.
What follows is a journey in a dilapidated van, with little to no possessions, Wasabi and the cremated remains of Jenny Cleggit (whom that may be Mercy has no idea).
Mercy spends the novel slowly working her way north from Adelaide to Darwin, confronting the harsh environment, grey nomads, a Scottish tourist with a man-bun, her online nemesis and her out of control anxiety.
Although very slow moving, the book was a really respectable way of highlighting mental illness including its presentations, triggers and coping mechanisms associated with working though the illness. As a fellow anxiety sufferer I easily recognised and empathised with many moments in the book and didn’t feel belittled or shamed.
There are some delightful moments and characters popping up in the book but although Mercy found herself on an epic adventure of self discovery, I found the book somewhat meh. It could be that I am too much a fantasy/historic fiction girl and require a bit more action and adventure (no dragons here peeps).
The book is well written and I very much understand how it would be a huge hit for those who are fans of the contemporary literature genre.
So after a disastrous stay at her ex-husbands (and his new boyfriends) house, Mercy somehow ends up buying a 40 year old red Daihatsu Hijet and putting pedal to the metal heads north from Adelaide, her destination.. anywhere but here.
What follows is a journey in a dilapidated van, with little to no possessions, Wasabi and the cremated remains of Jenny Cleggit (whom that may be Mercy has no idea).
Mercy spends the novel slowly working her way north from Adelaide to Darwin, confronting the harsh environment, grey nomads, a Scottish tourist with a man-bun, her online nemesis and her out of control anxiety.
Although very slow moving, the book was a really respectable way of highlighting mental illness including its presentations, triggers and coping mechanisms associated with working though the illness. As a fellow anxiety sufferer I easily recognised and empathised with many moments in the book and didn’t feel belittled or shamed.
There are some delightful moments and characters popping up in the book but although Mercy found herself on an epic adventure of self discovery, I found the book somewhat meh. It could be that I am too much a fantasy/historic fiction girl and require a bit more action and adventure (no dragons here peeps).
The book is well written and I very much understand how it would be a huge hit for those who are fans of the contemporary literature genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
narpetcards's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
This didn’t do it for me, it feels a bit dismissive to suggest that a haircut, road trip and new bloke is enough to cure someone’s depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia.
It was fine, and I’m glad it was enjoyable for some, if someone is really struggling it might not be an ideal time to read this.
It was fine, and I’m glad it was enjoyable for some, if someone is really struggling it might not be an ideal time to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Medical trauma, Alcohol, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Suicide attempt
larissasbookclub's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
BOOK REVIEW
The Other Side of Beautiful / Kim Lock
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
‘there’s a difference between pain, you know, and suffering. the former is a fact to surrender to, the latter is a choice.’
this is not something I would have picked up without it being recommended to me by the lovely Emily and despite only giving it 3 stars, I did still enjoy it, but I didn’t get wrapped up in the story.
I wish it had more of a plot line and ultimately I didn’t find myself rushing to pick it up. I found myself getting frustrated with Mercy’s character, and at times felt that her anxiety had been pushed aside by the author a bit easily.
I did however enjoy reading about the trip across Australia, and I quite enjoyed the characters she met along the way. I haven’t been to any of the places mentioned in the book myself, but many are places I’d love to travel to one day 🥰
**I just want to note that as someone who has struggled with anxiety, I couldn’t relate to Mercy’s character myself and I know this 100% comes down to everyone struggling with mental illnesses differently. I’m sure other readers will find themselves better represented in this portrayal of someone dealing with anxiety and I am in no way saying this in an inaccurate portrayal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Mental illness
sophie42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Minor: Medical content, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
iamivypark's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Overall this was a cheerful and uplifting read!
Lock’s own experience of anxiety is portrayed through Mercy, our protagonist and narrator. Her struggle to complete day to day tasks and her fear talking to strangers are overwhelming at the book’s opening. But over the course of the novel, we see Mercy grow, slowly turning towards her anxiety and grief. She makes some heartwarming friendships, with the kindness of strangers a beautiful part of this story. The novel was packed with humour and I loved Andy’s Scottish accent in the audiobook! Narration was great 👌🏽
It was a bit predictable and cheesy but it was a great balance with some heavier books I was reading in parallel. It felt safe, warm and cosy! A lovely summer read ☀️ I felt a similar sense of joy for Mercy’s growth as I felt for Eleanor Oliphant’s journey and can see why the comparison has been between the two books.
Lock’s own experience of anxiety is portrayed through Mercy, our protagonist and narrator. Her struggle to complete day to day tasks and her fear talking to strangers are overwhelming at the book’s opening. But over the course of the novel, we see Mercy grow, slowly turning towards her anxiety and grief. She makes some heartwarming friendships, with the kindness of strangers a beautiful part of this story. The novel was packed with humour and I loved Andy’s Scottish accent in the audiobook! Narration was great 👌🏽
It was a bit predictable and cheesy but it was a great balance with some heavier books I was reading in parallel. It felt safe, warm and cosy! A lovely summer read ☀️ I felt a similar sense of joy for Mercy’s growth as I felt for Eleanor Oliphant’s journey and can see why the comparison has been between the two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Mental illness
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Alcohol
tillyc17's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage
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