Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

326 reviews

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Miscarriage

Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship

Minor: Violence

jupiter5's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Drug abuse, Vomit, and Death of parent

sunshinebooks99's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad

5.0

I loved this book. It’s the first time in ages where I haven’t been able to stop thinking about a book, desperate to read it all the time! It’s such a fantastic representation of mental health, and the way that it affects not only those suffering but also those around them. I cannot describe how much I loved this - you feel everything alongside Martha, the writing is so incredible, and Mason is so clever with her writing style. You really feel invested in all the characters, but it also made me reflect upon my own life. So so so good!!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Miscarriage

adelaidelivia's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective tense 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

4.75

I felt exposed, though I could not relate to everything Martha was feeling. But the point is that I was (or still am?) going through something and reading this book made me see myself from an outsider's view, and I don't like it. And that's what makes me love this book.

I like that there isn't any perfect character.

I love Martha and could understand (though I discourage it) how she self-sabotaged, and I only knew that she was doing it near the end. I could relate to her so much that I did not realize she was self-sabotaging. Or until Patrick pointed it out.

I love Ingrid and how she was so real for what she had to say about her marriage.

I love Patrick and how he isn't trying to be the nicest guy on earth. He's just... Patrick. He is a good person (a very kind one, actually), and that's enough for him. He acknowledges that he was wrong but he also doesn't try to belittle or diminish his suffering. 

And I love every other character too. 

You're the same as everybody else. But that's harder for you, isn't it. You'd rather be one or the other. The idea you might be ordinary is unbearable.

Geez, Patrick. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Alcohol

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

mushypeasonearth's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Miscarriage

hayleyvharrington's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Abortion

sb27's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.75

Wasn't sure about the style of the book at the beginning. Couldn't really get into it and then suddenly it clicked and was really easy to read. The day time reading helped too. 
M is loved, but doesn't know it. She pushes those she loves away. Not helped by the fact that she doesn't know what is wrong with her until near the end of the novel. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Drug use

lifesarosch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.75

Love sad women. But actually a lovely book on mental illness and grief and healing. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage