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samantha1020's review against another edition
5.0
"I had a mother once. How odd. I wish I could have a moment with her, as Aunt Kate said. Just a few minutes to visit. I would like to hear her voice. I would like to do right by her. Not for her (she is past caring) but for me. I would like to go back to the place where I lost my way and choose a different road."
This book gutted me - five stars. That's basically all I need to say. It's one that I'm left pondering over, trying to put my feelings into words (needing to talk about it NOW and not weeks later because I'm always behind on reviews) but that is the sum of it really. Five stars and may very well end up on my top reads list of the year - TBD. I don't want to give a big summary or tell you anything about it really. It was an experience. It left me feeling frustrated at points, taken aback at others...and at tears when I was at the point where I read the above quote. I went to Goodreads and read reviews on this one straight after finishing - and I can understand and agree with some of the criticisms. And yet...I think back to how this book made me feel while reading - and can't give it anything less. Here is what I want you to know. If you feel a bit ambivalent at first, stick with it (maybe not if you hit the halfway point and still feel this way). There are no quotation marks used which can be (and is) confusing at times. It's a slow burn - one where you are meant to trust the author and the ride that he is taking you on within the pages. It was both beautiful and heartbreaking. I didn't expect this one to hit like it did but that's the joy of reading for you. Also, I need more of you to read this one so we can discuss.
I'm hesitant on how to recommend this only because I understand that it might not hit everyone the same way like it did for me. But if you read and loved Long Bright River by Liz Moore or Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka (both also five star reads for me) then pick this book up. I think it's the characterization in these books that makes me feel like if you liked one, you might like the other. And also, if should go without saying by now, but I highly recommend this one!
CW - Dementia
This book gutted me - five stars. That's basically all I need to say. It's one that I'm left pondering over, trying to put my feelings into words (needing to talk about it NOW and not weeks later because I'm always behind on reviews) but that is the sum of it really. Five stars and may very well end up on my top reads list of the year - TBD. I don't want to give a big summary or tell you anything about it really. It was an experience. It left me feeling frustrated at points, taken aback at others...and at tears when I was at the point where I read the above quote. I went to Goodreads and read reviews on this one straight after finishing - and I can understand and agree with some of the criticisms. And yet...I think back to how this book made me feel while reading - and can't give it anything less. Here is what I want you to know. If you feel a bit ambivalent at first, stick with it (maybe not if you hit the halfway point and still feel this way). There are no quotation marks used which can be (and is) confusing at times. It's a slow burn - one where you are meant to trust the author and the ride that he is taking you on within the pages. It was both beautiful and heartbreaking. I didn't expect this one to hit like it did but that's the joy of reading for you. Also, I need more of you to read this one so we can discuss.
I'm hesitant on how to recommend this only because I understand that it might not hit everyone the same way like it did for me. But if you read and loved Long Bright River by Liz Moore or Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka (both also five star reads for me) then pick this book up. I think it's the characterization in these books that makes me feel like if you liked one, you might like the other. And also, if should go without saying by now, but I highly recommend this one!
CW - Dementia
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
ktdakotareads's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Murder, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
hannahd_19's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Infidelity, Dementia, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Rape and Alcoholism
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
All That Is Mine I Carry With Me is a family drama with a crucial mystery/crime element. When Miranda is 10 she arrives home from school and her mother is missing. Despite a police investigation and their suspicions of her husband’s involvement Jane is not found and no charges could be laid. Miranda and her two brothers grow up being raised Dan, the chief suspect in their mother’s likely murder. When they are all adults Jane’s body is finally discovered. The story unfolded in four books, each from the perspective of a different character, including that of Jane herself. Given her section was second in the book, the mystery of whether she had disappeared or was dead, and who, if anyone, was responsible did not remain a mystery for long. I liked seeing how the children were impacted growing up. Miranda latching on to a mother substitute was heartbreaking, as was witnessing people avoiding the children because of the suspicions about Dan. Middle child Jeff’s teenage rebellion involving sex, alcohol and drugs was likely another consequence of the complicated family dynamics. I would have loved to have seen more of their childhoods play out more directly. The highpoint of the story for me was the discovery of Jane’s body, the police decision about whether or not to lay charges, and the family divisions over what legal steps they wanted to take. I also enjoyed the courtroom scenes. Done well they make for good drama and Landay, a trained lawyer, knows how to write them well. The final section of this novel features dementia and assisted suicide. I thought the depiction of both living with dementia and caring for the person who does were well done, although I worried that parts of this section could engender sympathy for Dan. For me this was a quick and enjoyable read, rather than one which wowed me or will leave a lasting impression.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Dementia, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
christinesreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Suicide, Death of parent, and Dementia
drraytay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Blood, Rape, Dementia, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Misogyny, and Infidelity
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