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amyejones's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This book completely took me by surprise. The way it broached the difficult debate of vaccinations that has divided society for decades was masterfully done. I found myself listening to both sides of a mother’s argument for and against vaccination, despite already having a strong opinion for vaccination in children.
However, this is not a piece of propaganda created to change your opinion on vaccinations, but a story that highlights how difficult it is to be a parent with so many choices to make that will inevitably be judged no matter what they decide.
One of the best parts of the novel was the friendship between the two female protagonists. Their relationship was fascinating and felt realistic, I wondered if this is really what these privileged and well educated non-working mums are really like. I felt the author made these women unlikeable to encourage the reader not to rush into picking a side as a rift and fallout grow between them as the novel progresses. However, in the end I felt for them both, despite them being unlikeable, they were too women that tried to do the best by their children.
Overall a thought provoking and tragic novel that I will think about for a long time.
However, this is not a piece of propaganda created to change your opinion on vaccinations, but a story that highlights how difficult it is to be a parent with so many choices to make that will inevitably be judged no matter what they decide.
One of the best parts of the novel was the friendship between the two female protagonists. Their relationship was fascinating and felt realistic, I wondered if this is really what these privileged and well educated non-working mums are really like. I felt the author made these women unlikeable to encourage the reader not to rush into picking a side as a rift and fallout grow between them as the novel progresses. However, in the end I felt for them both, despite them being unlikeable, they were too women that tried to do the best by their children.
Overall a thought provoking and tragic novel that I will think about for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
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