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madamenovelist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Ableism, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexism, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racism, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Excrement, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Death, Cursing, Confinement, Child abuse, Car accident, Blood, and Addiction
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Vomit, and Body horror
There was a really irritating racist caricature of a Turkish patient. The only redeeming aspect was that she was not the only brown woman in the cast (Indira was a great character), but Elif’s one/dimensional This Lady Is Not Attractive Nor Motherly schtick was jarring and irritating. He need not have copied Agatha Christie’s flaws in addition to her best traits. That said, Alicia was extremely well written and very compelling as a tragic heroine, and she is why I give 2.75 stars instead of simply 2. Excellent, excellent premise but frustrating execution.samdalefox's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's the first time in ages that I've stayed up all night because I can't put a book down. I read it in two sittings. The first half is pretty steady but then the second half just delivers twist after twist and I didn't guess the ending at all. It reminded me of the joy I had experienced as a kid/teenager when reading a suspensful story that I was fully invested in. I rarely find that these days, so I'm delighted at this 50p charity shop find.
The book is a wonderful character study of male entitlement, ego, and the uses and misuses of psychotherapy and the easy abuse of power in healthcare hierachial and patriarchal structures. I am wary of dramatised sterotypes of mental illness and mental illness treatment, since they're often unrepresentative and harmful, however this is the first instance I found reading fiction centered on these themes truly enjoyable.
Moderate: Abandonment, Xenophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Addiction, Violence, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, and Suicide attempt