Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
ive never read two books by her that seemed at all by the same author
Ces is desperately trying to keep her life together. She and her mother are living in a new town, after her mother's separation from Ces's father. Ces's mother is plunged into a deep depression, and Ces is desperately trying to keep the family afloat, by working as many hours as she can on top of school, and by keeping the house clean and making meals. From the beginning, Ces's family situation seems desperately unstable and Ces herself seems to be struggling, but the reader is not made aware of exactly what the situation is.
As the book develops, we gradually learn about Ces's abusive father, why Ces and her mother had to leave, and why they are both struggling to cope emotionally and mentally. Though marketed as a YA novel, Needlework does not read like a conventional YA narrative. Most YA novels have a defined arc, bringing the character from a difficult place to a some kind of resolution. "Needlework" is murkier -- things get better, they get worse, and when the story ends we are not left with a sense that everything will be better any time soon. However, it's not a book without hope: Ces is a vital, intelligent woman, and I was left with the sense that she will eventually find a place where she thrives.
This book is an excellent account of trauma. The author never shies away from describing the brutality of trauma, the arbitrary nature of abuse and the feeling of powerlessness that someone experiences when they are being abused. Ces is a very rounded character: her anger, her sense of injustice, her profound sense of loss, all ring very true. I commend the author for writing so bluntly about such a painful subject, and doing so with such tenderness. Ces never becomes a set of symptoms, she never feels like a textbook example of an abused person: she is always a whole and sympathetic character.
The narrative is interwoven with Ces's musings on tattoos and with her descriptions of tattoos. I really liked learning about tattoos, but at times I felt that the parts about tattoos and tattooing fitted a bit clumsily with the main narrative, and I think the author should not have written about them so much. However, this a small criticism of an otherwise excellent and necessary book. I recommend this book without reservation.
As the book develops, we gradually learn about Ces's abusive father, why Ces and her mother had to leave, and why they are both struggling to cope emotionally and mentally. Though marketed as a YA novel, Needlework does not read like a conventional YA narrative. Most YA novels have a defined arc, bringing the character from a difficult place to a some kind of resolution. "Needlework" is murkier -- things get better, they get worse, and when the story ends we are not left with a sense that everything will be better any time soon. However, it's not a book without hope: Ces is a vital, intelligent woman, and I was left with the sense that she will eventually find a place where she thrives.
This book is an excellent account of trauma. The author never shies away from describing the brutality of trauma, the arbitrary nature of abuse and the feeling of powerlessness that someone experiences when they are being abused. Ces is a very rounded character: her anger, her sense of injustice, her profound sense of loss, all ring very true. I commend the author for writing so bluntly about such a painful subject, and doing so with such tenderness. Ces never becomes a set of symptoms, she never feels like a textbook example of an abused person: she is always a whole and sympathetic character.
The narrative is interwoven with Ces's musings on tattoos and with her descriptions of tattoos. I really liked learning about tattoos, but at times I felt that the parts about tattoos and tattooing fitted a bit clumsily with the main narrative, and I think the author should not have written about them so much. However, this a small criticism of an otherwise excellent and necessary book. I recommend this book without reservation.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would...it dragged on for most of it tbh.
UPDATE** : I am definitely re-reading this after meeting the lovely author because I think I rushed through it and didn't give it the time it needed to be enjoyed & loved.
UPDATE** : I am definitely re-reading this after meeting the lovely author because I think I rushed through it and didn't give it the time it needed to be enjoyed & loved.
An obviously painful read, Needle Work is another important addition to the bank of stories which examine rape and victim blame culture.
fantastic read, extremely difficult subject handled with grace and without shying away from what needed to be said. I did find the style jarring from time to time, but the almost lofty, poetic tone did suit the narrators age.
TW: mention of sexual abuse
I really liked the premise of this book, but was a bit disappointed by the end product. Maybe it's because I have a hard time reading sad things since the pandemic started, but I thought I'd be able to read this book quickly, and it ended up taking me awhile because I found it difficult to want to pick it up. While I think it tells a really important narrative about sexual abuse, I found it difficult to be interested in the character and her story. That may be because of the style of writing: the book had very little dialogue and read as an elongated monologue, which I quickly realized wasn't really for me. More than just not including much dialogue, however, there was also little action. It was definitely interesting to spend so much time in Ces's head, but I found myself wishing we could get out of it a lot. Maybe that was the point of the story, but I still was craving that action or dialogue throughout my read. All in all, I think this book maybe just was a style that I was not used to, and I've realized it's not a style I'm particularly drawn to, but that's okay! The story and narrative were compelling, and the book definitely provides insight into an aspect of many girls' lives that don't get discussed a lot, which I believe to be important despite my not being drawn in very much.
I really liked the premise of this book, but was a bit disappointed by the end product. Maybe it's because I have a hard time reading sad things since the pandemic started, but I thought I'd be able to read this book quickly, and it ended up taking me awhile because I found it difficult to want to pick it up. While I think it tells a really important narrative about sexual abuse, I found it difficult to be interested in the character and her story. That may be because of the style of writing: the book had very little dialogue and read as an elongated monologue, which I quickly realized wasn't really for me. More than just not including much dialogue, however, there was also little action. It was definitely interesting to spend so much time in Ces's head, but I found myself wishing we could get out of it a lot. Maybe that was the point of the story, but I still was craving that action or dialogue throughout my read. All in all, I think this book maybe just was a style that I was not used to, and I've realized it's not a style I'm particularly drawn to, but that's okay! The story and narrative were compelling, and the book definitely provides insight into an aspect of many girls' lives that don't get discussed a lot, which I believe to be important despite my not being drawn in very much.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Needlework is a deeply challenging yet equally beautiful book which looks at the aftermath of abuse and it's long standing impacts even when you're safe. The book follows the distinctive voice of Ces and her struggle to try and keep her world from collapsing as she's neglected by her distraught mother following their escape from their abusive home life.
At times as I was reading this I really struggled with some of the writing and was almost disconnecting, then on the next page I would be fully consumed by Ces's pain, anger and indeed her strong, resilient and beautiful mind. After reading and sitting with my thoughts I think that sensation of disconnect and reconnecting was an amazing quality within the book which aided in portraying the turmoil Ces felt.
The language and imagery throughout is quite hauntingly beautiful and lingers far after it's read. There are so many stand out lines and images that evoke intense thought and emotions.
The characters of both Ces and her mother Laura are both very raw and frighteningly real at times. I found myself wanting to protect both Ces and Laura while at the same time yelling at Laura for not being enough for Ces. Laura's character was one which really evoked some strong emotions.
Something that also struck me which I was very intrigued by was Ces's interest in tattooing co-existing alongside her self-harming. Maybe a need to turn something painful yet release inducing into something beautiful?
This book is one which overflows with pain but also with beauty and healing, a tough read but one I'm very glad I stuck with.
TW for physical, emotional and sexual abuse, child abuse, mental illness, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
At times as I was reading this I really struggled with some of the writing and was almost disconnecting, then on the next page I would be fully consumed by Ces's pain, anger and indeed her strong, resilient and beautiful mind. After reading and sitting with my thoughts I think that sensation of disconnect and reconnecting was an amazing quality within the book which aided in portraying the turmoil Ces felt.
The language and imagery throughout is quite hauntingly beautiful and lingers far after it's read. There are so many stand out lines and images that evoke intense thought and emotions.
The characters of both Ces and her mother Laura are both very raw and frighteningly real at times. I found myself wanting to protect both Ces and Laura while at the same time yelling at Laura for not being enough for Ces. Laura's character was one which really evoked some strong emotions.
Something that also struck me which I was very intrigued by was Ces's interest in tattooing co-existing alongside her self-harming. Maybe a need to turn something painful yet release inducing into something beautiful?
This book is one which overflows with pain but also with beauty and healing, a tough read but one I'm very glad I stuck with.
TW for physical, emotional and sexual abuse, child abuse, mental illness, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol
'Needlework' is a very interesting read. At times, it grossed me out, but often left me stunned and saddened. I wish the story was more gripping, had higher stakes, or was even darker. The descriptions and intensity were there, but when I look back on the story I do not feel like there was one.
Potential! That is all I can say.
Potential! That is all I can say.