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sloan_emmi92's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wow. This book was one of the most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever read. The way everything was portrayed made me feel like I understood perfectly, and the issues discussed and represented were put into perspective. I loved this story, and it’s so so sad but makes you reflect on life. This is so lighthearted read- that’s for sure. It would’ve been a 4 star, but just wasn’t QUITE there but such a great story. (I come back to the review and change someday- I haven’t decided yet:))
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, and Child death
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Medical content, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
ni_colettee's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
I listened to the audiobook version and was wrapped in it from the beginning. The characters were relatable and the storyline, at times sad, also felt like one that was realistic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Death
tygergrl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, Death, Grief, Suicide, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
marytheblueberry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Racism, Mental illness, and Death
Moderate: Classism
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was fully ready to rate this book 5 stars until I read the twist ending that undercuts the first 80% of the book. Don't get me wrong though: it's beautifully and expertly written. The characters are richly described, have deep inner lives, and have exquisitely unique senses of their self. I appreciated the exploration of family dynamics at play, as well as seeing things from the point of view of characters of color as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book...except for the last 30 pages, which I will discuss in the spoiler tag below.
The catalyst for the entire novel is because Lydia had an accident. Even her death robbed her of her agency. I was going to give this book a five-out-of-five rating because I thought I was reading an actual true-to-life account of a teen struggling with depression, but no. She drowns on accident. Because her foot missed the dock when she was climbing out of the boat.
This book is just another example of literary fiction grief porn. Lydia "had to" die for her family to learn how to live. Even her death is only meaningful to those who are living. Even her death was taken away as a thing meant just for her.
I was hugely disappointed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book...except for the last 30 pages, which I will discuss in the spoiler tag below.
This book is just another example of literary fiction grief porn. Lydia "had to" die for her family to learn how to live. Even her death is only meaningful to those who are living. Even her death was taken away as a thing meant just for her.
I was hugely disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Death, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
bookwormfr_t0's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
What a beautifully written book. There are 5 characters we follow: Marilyn, James, Nath, Lydia, and Hannah; which sounds like a lot but each read distinctly from each other. They have their own internal struggles and distinctive thoughts that I think this story will appeal to all audiences; which was surprising because I did not expect to relate or identify with any of these characters but I did.
There are so many themes in this novel, but one that really stood out to me was how parents insecurities and expectations can impact children in a variety of ways. Specifically, how parents regrets from their own lives form how they raise their children, which can have negative effects.
Ng does a beautiful job weaving this story so delicately together it is filled with emotion and is tragically sad. The way Ng writes the character thoughts and emotions (especially Lydia) is visceral and palpable.
**I do see that it is categorized as a 'mystery/thriller' here on Storygraph, do not go into this book expecting a thriller. This is a tragic character study of a family suffering from loss and crushing grief.**
There are so many themes in this novel, but one that really stood out to me was how parents insecurities and expectations can impact children in a variety of ways. Specifically, how parents regrets from their own lives form how they raise their children, which can have negative effects.
Ng does a beautiful job weaving this story so delicately together it is filled with emotion and is tragically sad. The way Ng writes the character thoughts and emotions (especially Lydia) is visceral and palpable.
**I do see that it is categorized as a 'mystery/thriller' here on Storygraph, do not go into this book expecting a thriller. This is a tragic character study of a family suffering from loss and crushing grief.**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Racism, Grief, Infidelity, and Mental illness
bryelle's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A girl goes missing and her body is found in a lake. Her family goes through grief trying to figure out what happened and coping with the lose of their loved one.
This books has many themes of internal struggle. All the characters are going through their own journeys of what their lives are.
Lydia, the girl who goes missing, wants to live up to her parents expectations. She pushes her self and only feels like she has her brother to support her.
Nath, going away to Harvard soon, feels like he is in Lydia’s shadow. His father hit him when he is young and he can never look at him the same.
Hannah, the baby that brought her mother back after she ran away to accomplish her dreams. No one pays attention to her, but she loves them all the same.
Marilyn, wanted to be a doctor, but fell in love and got pregnant. She pushed her goals on her daughter Lydia.
James, Asian man in a mostly white community. Always knows everyone is looking at him and his children.
This books has many themes of internal struggle. All the characters are going through their own journeys of what their lives are.
Lydia, the girl who goes missing, wants to live up to her parents expectations. She pushes her self and only feels like she has her brother to support her.
Nath, going away to Harvard soon, feels like he is in Lydia’s shadow. His father hit him when he is young and he can never look at him the same.
Hannah, the baby that brought her mother back after she ran away to accomplish her dreams. No one pays attention to her, but she loves them all the same.
Marilyn, wanted to be a doctor, but fell in love and got pregnant. She pushed her goals on her daughter Lydia.
James, Asian man in a mostly white community. Always knows everyone is looking at him and his children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Child death, Bullying, and Alcohol
Moderate: Outing
booksandhappyhabits's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Child death, Suicide, Racism, Sexism, and Mental illness
sunny_not's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Suicide
its_van_vulpen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Racism, and Xenophobia