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pich's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.75
(3.75 leaning towards 4 stars)
I did not think I would enjoy a contemporary book like this, but I think the writing style and plot really sold it. The way Ella and Louise were written was reminiscent to my peers growing up, Annette and Alice’s dynamics with Maud were really refreshing and nice to see, and the twist in the middle was well done—it was a relatively quick read that I did not expect to enjoy.
I did not think I would enjoy a contemporary book like this, but I think the writing style and plot really sold it. The way Ella and Louise were written was reminiscent to my peers growing up, Annette and Alice’s dynamics with Maud were really refreshing and nice to see, and the twist in the middle was well done—it was a relatively quick read that I did not expect to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content
lcg527's review
emotional
sad
tense
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Self harm
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Maud is tired in her marriage that she has tried to make work for a long time, ignoring her own desires, like landscape history. One summer, she tells her husband she’s going to work on a garden project. She loves the work, and there is Gabriel, who makes her see herself differently.
There are some triggers for this book about family issues - both marital, parenting and teenage mental issues (cutting, therapy, etc), which were tough for me today because one of my son’s friends and a neighbor is currently struggling with some issues similarly.
“She’d married him thinking that he operated with a secret code that she’d eventually crack. But she could never decipher the symbols, and once Ella arrived, she stopped trying.” Ch 2
“She imagined…And when the moon came out, the two of them would say good night, then walk to their tent, take off their clothes, and zip out the world.” Ch 5
“Maud had understood viscerally in the hospital room when she saw the scars on Ella’s thighs: The dangerous secret that makes you feel alive. The secret that gives you control.” Ch 11
“You found clarity, and you made resolutions, and you had epiphanies, and then you lost the clarity, and you broke the resolutions, and you watched the epiphanies turn to sand.” Ch 16
““It’s sad,” Maud said.
“For him or for me?”
“For him. Losing his daughter.”
“All kids leave their parents. Some of us slam the door on our way out.” Ch 17
There are some triggers for this book about family issues - both marital, parenting and teenage mental issues (cutting, therapy, etc), which were tough for me today because one of my son’s friends and a neighbor is currently struggling with some issues similarly.
“She’d married him thinking that he operated with a secret code that she’d eventually crack. But she could never decipher the symbols, and once Ella arrived, she stopped trying.” Ch 2
“She imagined…And when the moon came out, the two of them would say good night, then walk to their tent, take off their clothes, and zip out the world.” Ch 5
“Maud had understood viscerally in the hospital room when she saw the scars on Ella’s thighs: The dangerous secret that makes you feel alive. The secret that gives you control.” Ch 11
“You found clarity, and you made resolutions, and you had epiphanies, and then you lost the clarity, and you broke the resolutions, and you watched the epiphanies turn to sand.” Ch 16
““It’s sad,” Maud said.
“For him or for me?”
“For him. Losing his daughter.”
“All kids leave their parents. Some of us slam the door on our way out.” Ch 17
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Self harm
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