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cellastial's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
jolimali's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was anxiety-inducing and horrifying in a way I wasn’t at all prepared for, and therefore left me with a tight feeling in my chest and a sense of terror. Dark and tragic, with no clear resolution to any of the questions that come up, but I figure that was the point of it in the first place.
torinomori's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
itssophiedoph's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
genre experimentation exploring grief love and loss in a slow burning suffocation of a relationship ending and a submarine sinking
stewyp123's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mediabaron's review against another edition
2.0
I’m giving it 1.5 stars rounded up. I listened to the audiobook. Much of the narration matched the storyline with a flat affect. I really had to pay attention to which POV was being presented. It also jumps around in time so be aware of that. The pacing is slow and obvious from reviews that’s not a problem for a number of people, it just wasn’t for me. I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
sottokyutto's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
snackattackisback69's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The prose of this book was incredibly beautiful. There were definitely elements of horror but they were used primarily to convey the themes of the novel. The descriptions of being haunted by the ghost of what the characters relationship once was felt visceral. I did find it difficult at times to connect with the characters, especially Miri but the ending of the book still impacted me immensely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent
lucymckinnell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
finajevans5's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
The writing here was glorious, both artistically, and regarding the way it manages to turn the dissemination of information into the moral of the story - we don't receive answers to all the questions raised within this novel, but we are able to understand what really matters through the answers we have. The story is a brilliant exploration of grief, loss, and the abject selflessness that can only be performed for those you truly love. Miri never once questions Leah's request to not be seen by a doctor, despite her declining state, and Miri never once considered making Leah cling onto life as we understand it for her own selfish sake, instead instantly understanding what Leah needs her to do, and performing it with love and attention. . The parallels to dementia and questions of when to mourn someone irrecoverably changed here are evident, but to me, the core of this story is our unquestioning commitment to those we love, event when this involves a slow descent to ruin.