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siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
I would have liked to have read this as a physical book, rather than an ebook, since I'm curious how the interludes between chapters looked in a physical copy. However, that's more of a curiosity thing than a quality thing.
I liked how Clemmons incorporated different styles into the book and different media snippets. Honestly, that part was so well executed, that I frequently forgot I was reading a work of fiction. Clemmons' voice throughout was so real and raw that it felt like a memoir. However, it also felt like a memoir in that at times it felt like I was missing something - almost like I should have been able to fill in some gaps myself, but I just wasn't able to. This was a cool and interesting read. Sometimes it was a challenge to figure out what was happening when, as sometimes Clemmons moved through time periods without differentiating them, but it was still a solid read
I liked how Clemmons incorporated different styles into the book and different media snippets. Honestly, that part was so well executed, that I frequently forgot I was reading a work of fiction. Clemmons' voice throughout was so real and raw that it felt like a memoir. However, it also felt like a memoir in that at times it felt like I was missing something - almost like I should have been able to fill in some gaps myself, but I just wasn't able to. This was a cool and interesting read. Sometimes it was a challenge to figure out what was happening when, as sometimes Clemmons moved through time periods without differentiating them, but it was still a solid read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Pregnancy and Toxic relationship
fraidyghost's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Really enjoyed the narrative structure of this book, and its narrator Thandi, whose relationships with her culture/identity and family I found deeply relatable. The story was rich without being weighed down by overly descriptive language (although there were places I wished for more). I only put it down once, and only because the style took a little bit of acclimation; once I fell into the rhythm I finished the rest in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Racism, Death, Abortion, Cancer, Classism, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
hartendief's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Abortion and Infidelity
carleesi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
The writing style of this book was really interesting. The combination of non-linear storytelling with the short chapters helped develop the emotional impact for me. One of the downsides that pulled me out of the story was the frequent fatphobia. Sometimes it was covert and other times it was really blatant, made it hard for me to stay in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Racism
adoesetfree's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I checked this out from my library on a whim a few days before Mother's Day- books about complicated mother/daughter relationships always draw me in, and it felt appropriate considering the time.
Turns out this book was exactly what I needed right now: after reading two very humorous, light-hearted novels, the slow-paced heaviness of "What We Lose" was refreshing and palette-cleansing. Clemmons took a very difficult and honest look at grief, and how it can impact individuals and break down family units. I often felt grieved myself while reading, which either speaks for my sensitivity or Clemmons' skill. Probably both.
I appreciated the way this was written: the bite-sized looks at Thandi's psyche, combined with Clemmons' simple but insightful prose, made the book easy to consume. The writing was a very good balance of "straight-forward, with the occasional sentence to take your breath away."
Though grief (how it feels and changes your life, how people cope or don't cope with it, the vague probability of healing from it) is the main focus of "What We Lose", the book also dipped its feet in the effects of capitalism, classism, and misogynoir and colorism within the Black community- all discussions that I enjoyed and appreciated.
Turns out this book was exactly what I needed right now: after reading two very humorous, light-hearted novels, the slow-paced heaviness of "What We Lose" was refreshing and palette-cleansing. Clemmons took a very difficult and honest look at grief, and how it can impact individuals and break down family units. I often felt grieved myself while reading, which either speaks for my sensitivity or Clemmons' skill. Probably both.
I appreciated the way this was written: the bite-sized looks at Thandi's psyche, combined with Clemmons' simple but insightful prose, made the book easy to consume. The writing was a very good balance of "straight-forward, with the occasional sentence to take your breath away."
Though grief (how it feels and changes your life, how people cope or don't cope with it, the vague probability of healing from it) is the main focus of "What We Lose", the book also dipped its feet in the effects of capitalism, classism, and misogynoir and colorism within the Black community- all discussions that I enjoyed and appreciated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
milliebrierley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Abortion
garlinds's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
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