Reviews

Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy

amylav's review

dark emotional reflective medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

dawnsc's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

maggsewilson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow- what a read. The reader feels like they are with the main character— Soldier— as she navigates the early stages of motherhood and cliches of being a stay-at-home mother. 

Women will probably relate to many of the vignettes of energy spent seeking empathy from male partners— and the subsequent oscillating between resentment, tolerance and love that ensues. Women will also most definitely relate to the isolation found in motherhood. This book most definitely sheds a light on the mental health struggles of a first time parent, and the hurdles both partners have to make in not only maintaining a marriage but also raising a child. 

I related so much on the themes of relationship and feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. While this book did carry heavy, introspective themes, the sweetness of a parent’s love for a child trumped all. 

arabellaruby's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.25

messyheart's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

mcmorrdog's review against another edition

reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mcglassa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

kallaxprincess's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

bookseller91's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

rosarioverse's review against another edition

3.0

I can appreciate what this book is doing, and how it juxtaposes different emotions, and unflinchingly shows the difficult reality of how many women feel after having children. Just wasn't for me.