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woolen_pigeon's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Infidelity
taibreakfast's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Eating disorder and Suicide
azk's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Infidelity, Grief, and Mental illness
amyteurhour's review
3.5
Content warning: child neglect, infidelity
The beginning when Rose is still in elementary/early middle school reminded me a little of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. This was pretty melancholy to read, which of course makes sense given the title. What I was not expecting was how each of the family members are isolated and lonely in their own way. There were definitely points, especially near the end, that I thought: if only they communicated with each other, they wouldn't have to suffer so much. But I did kind of see how it was in character for them. The audiobook was read by the author, and I thought Bender did fine.
The beginning when Rose is still in elementary/early middle school reminded me a little of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. This was pretty melancholy to read, which of course makes sense given the title. What I was not expecting was how each of the family members are isolated and lonely in their own way. There were definitely points, especially near the end, that I thought: if only they communicated with each other, they wouldn't have to suffer so much. But I did kind of see how it was in character for them. The audiobook was read by the author, and I thought Bender did fine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
racheldallaire's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the beginning of this book and was very intrigued by the premise. The prose is beautiful-I love the way Bender writes. In the beginning I thought this was going to go a completely different direction than it did. I liked it enough except for the lack of quotation marks. ;-) It definitely made me think and I am pretty sure I'll be thinking about it for awhile. This feels like a great book club or lit class read-good for lots of discussion over the themes and symbolism. I think if I'd read it in that context I'd have enjoyed it more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Cursing
jackbifrost's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, and Infidelity
Minor: Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Death
saskiahill's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Grief
Minor: Toxic friendship and Self harm
klor's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I absolutely adored the magical realism, almost sci-fi aspects of this book. I think it was cool how it all got tied up together at the end and how the book feels very light. While the writing is not at all bad, I felt like it became too redundant at times and a moment just circles into itself again and again. The concept could have been executed a little better in the first 2/3s of the book. Still, I thought this was a very whimsical and reflective read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Infidelity
themadpage's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Infidelity
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
limina's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked this book enough. Others described it as uneventful, I equate it to a slice of life genre like in anime and manga. I marked a content warning for ED, because her relationship with food could be triggering for some folks out there. I do like how Rose became as she grew up. The ending left me wanting more about her dad and Joseph's abilities. It's also just unclear to me if Joseph is only mentally ill or if his special ability has something to do with his disappearances. I know it's meant to be ambiguous but still .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Minor: Mental illness and Infidelity