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praevalesco's review against another edition
3.25
If you like Reid already, it's worth the read. If you're new to Reid, maybe start with a different book of his first.
Graphic: Gaslighting and Mental illness
Moderate: Death
seagullsaga's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Dementia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Terminal illness, Ableism, and Self harm
Minor: Animal death
mindespair's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
With his third novel, Iain Reid has cemented himself as one of my favorite authors. I felt that Penny was somewhat of a self-insert for him, especially when she spoke about her art. The quote above really spoke to me because it felt like it came from Reid himself. His work does make me feel relief from my own darkness.
One of my favorite things about Reid as a writer (aside from his unreliable narrators) is his faith in his reader. He never makes the mistake of over-explaining, making you feel dumb. He lets his stories unravel organically without the need for a timeout to explain the logistics. He trusts you with your own interpretation. While I was reading this novel in particular, I kept trying to figure out how to explain what was going on; how Reid could explain it. Eventually I realized that he wouldn't. We don't need to be told why
This book mostly revolves around the fear of growing old, fading away, dying, etc. I found it very touching amidst the exhausting anti-aging craze. Growing old is a privilege. Life is beautiful because it ends. Eternal life is eternal torture. This book took all of these thoughts and whipped them into a beautiful psychological horror.
Lastly, I'd say that my favorite aspect of this novel is how strongly the residents of Six Cedars are pushed to be productive.
This is easily a new favorite. Read it if you can. This was an incredible start to 2024.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Kidnapping
Minor: Medical content, Animal death, and Suicide
disguisedposer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Suicide, Confinement, Death, and Gaslighting
deerlordxx's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Gaslighting and Dementia
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical content, Suicide, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Death
ilana_pop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Dementia
Moderate: Body horror
fatfatrat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Gaslighting
taliaalongi'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? No
3.0
Graphic: Gaslighting
kshertz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Gaslighting, Abandonment, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization