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charl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
A solid 4. Lots of themes in this book, grief, religion, death, guilt. A quote on the back said it was hilarious and heartbreaking, which I don’t think really was accurate as I didn’t find any parts particularly funny. Also the book included racial slurs and I feel like it could have redacted them on the page rather than written in them and we would have understood what they meant???
Graphic: Racial slurs
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Jan Carson's books normally leave me pondering for days if not weeks after finishing them and The Raptures is similarly going to leave me deep in thought for quite a while.
This is a story which at first glance just revolves around a mysterious illness that has overcome the small northern village of Ballylack, however becomes so much more as Jan delicately looks at the impact religion, politics, superstition and family dynamics can have on everyone from the young innocent child to the community as a whole.
In true Carson style this is done through the lens of belly bursting comedy, mixed with heartbreaking tear-jerking paragraphs intertwined with some moments which will honestly leave the hair on the back of your neck standing for days.
I'm going to be unpicking this one in my brain for a while yet, but that's ok since it will be it that lilting twang that Carson conveys so well within her writing.
This is a story which at first glance just revolves around a mysterious illness that has overcome the small northern village of Ballylack, however becomes so much more as Jan delicately looks at the impact religion, politics, superstition and family dynamics can have on everyone from the young innocent child to the community as a whole.
In true Carson style this is done through the lens of belly bursting comedy, mixed with heartbreaking tear-jerking paragraphs intertwined with some moments which will honestly leave the hair on the back of your neck standing for days.
I'm going to be unpicking this one in my brain for a while yet, but that's ok since it will be it that lilting twang that Carson conveys so well within her writing.
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
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