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katy_bee's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
I started this book a couple of times and dropped it very early on. As I stated to get through it further, I considered dropping it again.
The main character was clearly in pain, but also hard work and I guess that's the theme of the book. I can't say I enjoyed it, because at times it was very sad- but it was compelling and I appreciate the ending
The main character was clearly in pain, but also hard work and I guess that's the theme of the book. I can't say I enjoyed it, because at times it was very sad- but it was compelling and I appreciate the ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
reneerianne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
This was extremely touching and simultaneously infuriating because it shed an important light on the stigmatization of mental health conditions and the impact that that can have on an individual. I found the perspective of this novel very refreshing because you’re inside the mind of the main character who struggles with an undefined mental illness. I loved that the main character Martha is so introspective and honest about her thoughts about her condition (when she gets a diagnosis she is so relieved to finally know what is up!) and I just loved the ending. Really well written in that regards and I just fell in love with the characters despite their unlikable traits.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage and Toxic relationship
maggienistler's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicide
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
m_corsano's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I adored this book. The writing style is so intimate and precise that is almost read like someone’s (my own?) diary. It is the most accurate and sympathetic depiction of living with mental illness or having someone in your life with mental illness I’ve ever come across. This is a book I will think about for a long time. It changed me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
alisonhp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Wow. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I wasn’t convinced by the description, or from the first few chapters. Then, suddenly, I found myself oscillating between feeling deeply moved and bursting out laughing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
mandyherbet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.75
Oh this book. Sigh.
I can see why it’s polarising in many ways but the writing is so beautiful that I want to buy a copy just to highlight it because I loved the writing so much.
The main character is Martha, a 40-year-old with a mental illness that is never named but is most likely bipolar disorder. It’s not an easy read at all and it may be triggering for some but I’m glad I read it and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time
I can see why it’s polarising in many ways but the writing is so beautiful that I want to buy a copy just to highlight it because I loved the writing so much.
The main character is Martha, a 40-year-old with a mental illness that is never named but is most likely bipolar disorder. It’s not an easy read at all and it may be triggering for some but I’m glad I read it and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
waderlustleisure's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
books4em's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is all vibes, no plot. Not going to lie, was not a fan of this book at all. I related to the feelings of relief and understanding when she got her diagnosis, but that was about it. It’s a hot mess and the side characters are all over the place as well. They often claim to be doing their best to help the MC, but that “best” is a rally low bar. I also thought it should’ve ended at the journal scene. The ending is a good ending for this book, but I still don’t think the last 30ish pages were necessary. Won’t be rereading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Self harm
jackalexdale's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, and Abortion
liesbethvv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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
4.25
This book really grew on me. I felt a bit disconnected from the main character Martha from the beginning, as she struggles through her relationships, romantically and within her family and friends but the second half of the book just blew me away. How well constructed, how painful to see the unreliable narrator fall into despair and with a few plot twist thrown in the different topics just slot together so well.
I must say this is definitely not a lighthearted or laugh-out-loud funny book to me, but the banter between Martha and her sister Ingrid is so, so drily funny it made me smile a lot.
I would definitely recommend this read, albeit a hard one, if only to augment one’s empathy towards the others, you never know what a person is dealing with.
I must say this is definitely not a lighthearted or laugh-out-loud funny book to me, but the banter between Martha and her sister Ingrid is so, so drily funny it made me smile a lot.
I would definitely recommend this read, albeit a hard one, if only to augment one’s empathy towards the others, you never know what a person is dealing with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence