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orla_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, and Grief
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Racism, and Child abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Domestic abuse
albajl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
As many people I think the eerie and mysterious (almost fantastic) side of the plot is lost in the explanarlo of the event, which I did not disliked but then it’s true it gets slightly repetitive and there’s loose ends.
Otherwise I did love it !!!
Otherwise I did love it !!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Terminal illness
nyxlexica's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
milliebrierley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Child death, and Religious bigotry
admatthews's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Outstanding. The insularity of an early-90s Northern Irish village, and of a strict protestant family, is shattered by a mysterious and seemingly innocuous intrusion from the outside world. Each character is drawn with great nuance and empathy. Humour sits alongside awful grief, and the magic realist touches amplify the scope and humanity of the novel. The question over whether some of the victims are better off dead than alive is disturbingly unanswerable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
danoott's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I have had the pleasure to meet Jan Carson myself once. It was a pubquiz organised by my study association in the Netherlands. She was full of passion and it inspired me greatly. After meeting her I wanted to read this very book and I am glad I did so.
The book is written through the perspective of Hannah, a 11-year-old child. This approach to discussing difficult topics I find brilliant. Children do see the world differently and this often helps with making the theme of child death easier to digest. It does not make it less difficult to read about however. The book made me emotional, wanting to help the children but feeling helpless like Hannah herself.
As a nonbeliever I found it interesting to read through a believer’s perspective. I find it beautiful how some can find such hope in something invisible. I admire that. Carson brings to light the good and the bad about religion which I appreciate.
It is also refreshing to see a book through the perspective of the Protestants in Northern Ireland. I have rarely encountered this myself, mostly seeing media that shows the Catholic side of things. You can feel that this book has come from personal experiences in this kind of community. Ballylack feels both small and like it is supposed to represent something bigger. It is an art on itself to achieve such a thing.
Overall, I 100% recommend reading this book. Despite having predicted most of the plot points, the raptures is an inspiring book that will leave you emotional until the very end.
The book is written through the perspective of Hannah, a 11-year-old child. This approach to discussing difficult topics I find brilliant. Children do see the world differently and this often helps with making the theme of child death easier to digest. It does not make it less difficult to read about however. The book made me emotional, wanting to help the children but feeling helpless like Hannah herself.
As a nonbeliever I found it interesting to read through a believer’s perspective. I find it beautiful how some can find such hope in something invisible. I admire that. Carson brings to light the good and the bad about religion which I appreciate.
It is also refreshing to see a book through the perspective of the Protestants in Northern Ireland. I have rarely encountered this myself, mostly seeing media that shows the Catholic side of things. You can feel that this book has come from personal experiences in this kind of community. Ballylack feels both small and like it is supposed to represent something bigger. It is an art on itself to achieve such a thing.
Overall, I 100% recommend reading this book. Despite having predicted most of the plot points, the raptures is an inspiring book that will leave you emotional until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child abuse
ell_n's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: War
roxodee's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I really enjoyed this book. A quick, easy read. Felt like there was an underlying message I missed though but reading other reviews it seems like others felt the same.
Sounds odd to say, but I was always a bit excited when a child died because it meant Hannah would get to talk to their ghost, which were my favourite parts, haha.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Child death, and Child abuse
rosalind's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism
Minor: Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Body horror, Abandonment, and Violence
keirahelena_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Racism