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nerdygnome's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
While this book is well done, it's a stretch for me to say that it's enjoyable, mostly due to the weight of the main character's pervasively grim circumstances. In her early 30s, Lynette has had more than a lifetime of hard times. She lives with her distant mother and her severely disabled brother, doing her best to be the responsible adult they all need. When the opportunity comes to purchase the home they live in or have to move out, Lynette goes on a crusade to raise the money her mother doesn't have for it.
The Night Always Comes provides valuable insight into the lives of low-income families, as well as (to a lesser degree) those touched by significant disability. It took me a little bit to get into this book — I felt at first as if I were listening to a radio play, somewhat detached from the action and trying to piece things together. I wouldn't say that it's a slow burn overall, because the pace did pick up as more plot points were introduced, but it wasn't one that immediately grabbed me.
The dominant theme of this book is the desperation and limited options that accompany low income, but underneath that are more subtle themes of codependency, mother-daughter relationships, and a search for your own identity. Those who appreciate literary fiction that touches on social issues will likely appreciate this book.
Trigger warnings:depression and suicide attempts, mental health and mental crisis hospitalization, dysfunctional families and codependency, alcohol abuse and drug use, prostitution, abortion, and violence.
The Night Always Comes provides valuable insight into the lives of low-income families, as well as (to a lesser degree) those touched by significant disability. It took me a little bit to get into this book — I felt at first as if I were listening to a radio play, somewhat detached from the action and trying to piece things together. I wouldn't say that it's a slow burn overall, because the pace did pick up as more plot points were introduced, but it wasn't one that immediately grabbed me.
The dominant theme of this book is the desperation and limited options that accompany low income, but underneath that are more subtle themes of codependency, mother-daughter relationships, and a search for your own identity. Those who appreciate literary fiction that touches on social issues will likely appreciate this book.
Trigger warnings:
samging's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
heathssm's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ema_b's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
A wild ride of betrayal, danger, and desperation as one woman tries to raise a large sum of money to buy her house and finally have a place to call her own.
jodiecal's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.25
_david_'s review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I didn't like the main character but I do empathize with her desperation.
The book is a showcase of how hard it is to get out of a bad situation when you've been dealt a bad hand. However, Lynette just often does something incredibly naive without seemingly questioning the risks. She'll risk her life for a relative small win. Yet when she gets an easy and relatively low risk way to keep some money, she doesn't use it.I'm referring to her choosing to send Gloria $9000 back. There could be a reason why she did it, but it doesn't make sense with the rest of the showed behaviour. I'd at least expect Lynette to say why she had a 'change of heart' with the used writing style in this book.
All in all the book felt like misery porn to me with a character that ran headfirst into risky situations without learning much.
The book is a showcase of how hard it is to get out of a bad situation when you've been dealt a bad hand. However, Lynette just often does something incredibly naive without seemingly questioning the risks. She'll risk her life for a relative small win. Yet when she gets an easy and relatively low risk way to keep some money, she doesn't use it.
All in all the book felt like misery porn to me with a character that ran headfirst into risky situations without learning much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexism
Minor: Abortion, Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
ojreadsbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.5
kmgard's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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