Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

127 reviews

risemini's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Addiction, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Death of parent, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship

natashamountney's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism and Mental illness

Minor: Xenophobia

heathergeorge's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, and Addiction

Moderate: Drug use and Abortion

Minor: Medical content and Cursing

arnold_shelby's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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

5.0

This book was extremely moving and a beautiful (painful) portrayal of a mental illness. Although you're not told what diagnosis the protagonist, Martha, has, you can infer based on some of her symptoms and the way she talks about her experience. For anyone who has been through the experience of being diagnosed with a stigmatized illness, or who has struggled in their efforts to "just be better" and the shame that is so wrapped up in their not being normal/ feeling like they're just doing this human thing wrong.. this book was a compassionate, albeit painful exploration.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness

Moderate: Miscarriage, Violence, Pregnancy, and Alcoholism

mmccombs's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I was not convinced at first, I didn’t feel compelled to pick it up for the first 50 pages or so. But then I felt like it absolutely bulldozed me in the best kind of way. The way Mason balances the bleakness and chaos of these characters with a grounded, hopeful feeling (ie sorrow and bliss lol) is so masterfully done, it is so difficult to make a deeply unlikeable character also someone you find yourself rooting for. It’s #relatable and such an authentic-feeling depiction of mental illness/disability. I didn’t think I would love it but at the end I realized it was absolutely everything I want from a book, simply artful work that impacted me deeply.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide

Moderate: Sexism, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Alcoholism

elisem04's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

Moderate: Miscarriage and Alcoholism

Minor: Death of parent

kellyloubishop's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Self harm, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Miscarriage

leialeilani's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Miscarriage

Minor: Fatphobia

asbat's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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

3.0

Amazing writing and enjoyed the flow of the book. Reflection on everyday life with mental health and how this affects relationships. I wasn’t blown away as expected but made me think more about mental health and empathise with those suffering with it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse

ruth_power's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing 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

Absolutely brilliant! Just the kind of book for when you want to laugh and cry at the same time. Beautiful exploration of mental health and identity which is moving, hilarious, tragic and witty. I just want to read it again!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Addiction, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Miscarriage