Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - Sorrow and Bliss

Beautiful, haunting, real. This is an incredible story of the problems with misdiagnosis.

Every single character in this book is perfectly written. They all feel so real and flawed and complex. I am obsessed with the way these characters were depicted, and I am blown away by the intentionality in every interaction and story told.

The writing is so beautiful. It is so lyrical and quotable. Not a single word is wasted. I would read anything Meg Mason writes.

I loved how Martha's condition is never specified. It allows the reader to focus on mental health as a whole and the consequences of misdiagnosis rather than generalizing a specific population that struggles with a certain condition.

Martha and Patrick have such an interesting relationship. It was so fascinating to read.

This is a book I will be thinking about for the rest of my life.

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absolutive's review against another edition

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4.5

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ilana_pop's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

'Sorrow and bliss' is an honest representation of the difficult, dark, destructive path mental health can be. Despite the heavy subject, it is a very compelling and at times hopeful story. The characters are not very likeable, do not reveal much of themselves and as a reader you can never predict which way the story will go. What the main character struggles with is never given a name to accurately portray the stigma and impact it has on her surroundings.

The writing style is unique with sometimes very short passages that are crucial for the storytelling. All in all, a worthy nomination (even shortlisted) for the women's fiction prize 2022 and a must for fans of Fleabag and Sally Rooney.

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