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christyc's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Ugh a tad disappointed that this felt nothing like the blurb conveyed. It had such amazing potential but was not to be unfortunately.
I get the author is a poet first and foremost, but this book was definitely poetry trying to become a fiction novel. It didn’t quite work, and reminded me of Mrs Death Misses Death (which I rated even lower).
I didn’t care for any of the characters and found the main character annoying. There was very little character development at all and I found the entire story began to stagnate after about 25% of the way through.
I get the author is a poet first and foremost, but this book was definitely poetry trying to become a fiction novel. It didn’t quite work, and reminded me of Mrs Death Misses Death (which I rated even lower).
I didn’t care for any of the characters and found the main character annoying. There was very little character development at all and I found the entire story began to stagnate after about 25% of the way through.
sarah_readinglog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
noella_t's review
1.0
I tried three or four times to read this book. I absolutely could not get into it. It was like walking down a hallway hearing snippets of conversation coming from the various rooms I passed. Conversations coming from strangers and making no sense to me.
The book did absolutely nothing for me.
The book did absolutely nothing for me.
anamarijak's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lam's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content, Death, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Child abuse
aims98's review against another edition
5.0
I had been eagerly anticipating this book for months prior to its publication, so when it arrived, my excitement was just a little bit obvious to those around me.
As You Were is a stunning fiction debut from Elaine Feeney, one of Ireland's best contemporary poets. It is a visceral, devestating and utterly gorgeous look behind the closed doors of a Galway Hospital, that gives voice to some of those so often left unconsidered:patients.
So much of my own patient experiences, right down to the intimate details of blocked IV lines and the specific indignity of having to be carted around on a cammode because there just isn't a wheelchair available, are front and centre in this powerhouse of a novel, making me feel seen in ways that no other work of fiction ever has, or could.
Feeney has done something important and truly special with As You Were, for which she should be celebrated.
As You Were is a stunning fiction debut from Elaine Feeney, one of Ireland's best contemporary poets. It is a visceral, devestating and utterly gorgeous look behind the closed doors of a Galway Hospital, that gives voice to some of those so often left unconsidered:patients.
So much of my own patient experiences, right down to the intimate details of blocked IV lines and the specific indignity of having to be carted around on a cammode because there just isn't a wheelchair available, are front and centre in this powerhouse of a novel, making me feel seen in ways that no other work of fiction ever has, or could.
Feeney has done something important and truly special with As You Were, for which she should be celebrated.
elena_theresa's review against another edition
4.0
A very unpredictable story about sickness, loss, feeling lost, and love.
opinionhaver69's review against another edition
4.0
ooohhhh this had so much more Bite than i thought it would but that’s on me for expecting a weepy cancer novel. which i’m glad it wasn’t! the way feeney invokes ireland’s history of appalling systemic misogyny to undercut sinead’s decision not to reveal or treat her terminal cancer - the way this illuminates sinead’s need to have control over her own body which in turn conflicts with the fact of debilitating illness in itself as well as the utter lack of privacy on a ward in an underfunded hospital. and stylistically so interesting! not all of feeney’s choices worked for me but man when it hit it really hit, an easy 4.5/5