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samvansam'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: Emotional abuse, Grief, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Animal death, Car accident, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Dementia, and Confinement
Minor: Pregnancy, Cancer, Stalking, Sexism, Terminal illness, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
bittennailbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How long would you let a lie spiral out of control? This is the question that our protagonist Gilda struggles with as she spirals through the crumbling folds of her mind. A lesbian working in a conservative Catholic church, deals with the intricacies of her panic and depressive disorders. The story follows Gilda begging to the brick walls of the health care system for help, trying to solve the death of the woman who held her job previous, which in turn, causes her life to spin out of control. One may argue that she is in fact losing touch with reality but I would say she is in fact too aware of it.
This book was strangely gripping, Austin is skilled in her ability to provoke a physical reaction from her readers with the jumpy timelines, uncertain character-driven plotline, and uneasy spiral she takes us down along with Gilda. I found myself many times being frustrated with Gilda's ability to not react and simultaneously overreact when presented with the consequences of her inability to get her feet on solid ground. It's been many years since my last panic attack but the feelings Austin evokes through her writing feels all to familiar. Please check the content warnings if you are someone who is struggling with religious trauma, panic disorders, or medical trauma.
Was it a nail biter? Yes of course it was. I devoured this book in a sitting as I was not ready to let go of this story that de-threaded so many times along the way. I would recommend this to someone who is looking for a unique read and wants to be taken for an all out ride.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Homophobia, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Addiction
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Medical content, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexism
norcgr01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Vomit
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexism
Minor: Drug abuse
erynpaige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Medical content, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia