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lisalisalisa's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Cancer
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, and Child abuse
gen_wolfhailstorm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Narrated by Alix Dunmore
Unabridged
This was haunting and unexpectedly ... sensual... I don't know if that's the right word, exactly, but I wasn't expecting how much I'd be taken in with the beauty of the water and dense heat of summer compared to the innocent exploration of girlhood and how nostalgic that felt for me. Yet, in contrast, how this sweet and pure theme was manipulated in the present scenes and used to the advantage of an older and trusted character. It was uncomfortable but I couldn't stop reading.
In tone, this kind of gave me the Paper Palace vibes, and that makes me want to revisit that title because I had previously dnf'd it.
I loved how haunting the time period and season felt, which isn't a word I would usually use to describe summer and the 70s at all, but there was this whole heavy atmosphere that was rich in melancholy and the gothic and although it wasn't a thriller, there was such a dense layer of suspense and tension at every turn.
Depending on Maeve or Ruth's perspective, it was interesting how warped the mother or daughter's voice sounded to the perspective. As the reader, it was fascinating to see how the other viewed the others actions, justified their own, etc.
I feel like the fall out happened a bit too close to the end. I wanted the fall out to happen sooner so we could see more of the direct consequences span out, but I enjoyed that we got to see more long term scenarios, which felt like more closure than I was expecting.
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Suicide attempt
angrybookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: War, Homophobia, and Sexual violence
cole_louise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Cancer
Moderate: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, War, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Lesbophobia
zoe_werdy's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
jbraith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cancer, and Pedophilia