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kathshiroma's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Murder
thestorydoer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Narratively, this book is fantastic. Each plot point flows from one beat to the next with a steady pace throughout the novel which is an impressive feat. Each character with an ebb and flow of introduction is introduced at the exact right time. It has excellent climactic reveals and the dialogue is good.
The character of Oliphant herself is utterly fantastic. An interesting character whose real world often intersects with her trauma in fascinating ways. There is an excellent emphasis on her social skills which walks the line on 'unsociable' people and how they can form a charisma in their own right.
This is about as far as I can talk about this book without spoiling so here we go:
The idea to make Eleanor's mother a figment of her subconscious was also an interesting narrative choice but one I grew to accept. However, the idea of Eleanor having a sister is predictable. Roughly 200 pages predictable. However, this thought would need a reread because I can't distinguish whether this was intentional or not. That being said, the dialogue with the social worker is a masterclass in writing with missing information and had me fooled the first time around.
There is also the classic issue with mental health. Her overcoming of her mental health issues leans slightly toward triumphant more than progressive. This, of course, begins to raise questions about the realism of the portrayal of her mental health issues which I feel I am not experienced enough to discuss.
I need to read this again so take this summary with a grain of salt.
Overall, an interesting and loveable character study which suffers from a couple pitfalls which hinder this book from greatness. 4/5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
ezex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
clarissa_joy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is a story about trauma, about healing; about loneliness and friendship; about realizing that life can be better than fine. Oof. It hits you so hard and you cry tears of joy as you watch Eleanor realize this and start to truly live her life.
"I realized I felt....happy. It was such a strange, unusual feeling - light, calm, as though I'd swallowed sunshine." That quote is deeply personal to me. I wish I could encapsulate how Eleanor's journey touched me, but I'll have to settle for saying that this book is one that left a mark on me. All the best books do.
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Rape
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Medical content, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Rape, and Sexual content
scurry14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
corban's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape
marigold82's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
caitlin_huxham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape
boba_nbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury