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emmamgregory's review
5.0
I think my career as a professional reader may be over as I'm not sure I'll be able to find another novel that will appeal to all my literary sensibilities. This British traicomedy had me laugh with its dry witty characters and cry with its absolutely desperately sad characters. Throw in a couple of bodies under the lavender in the back garden, the neighbour's dog that loves digging, a witless drugs dealer and the world's biggest losers as parents and I finished this book in a week. If nothing else as a parent I can stay in bed for a week while serving up jelly beans and allowing my kids to watch non stop telly and still feel like I should win an award! Fantastic
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Aww fantasy and UF, I do love thee. And no offence, but I love lit fic for it's writing.
Marnie and Nellie have 2 effed up alkie parents. Well had, they died and they buried them in the yard.
There are 3 POVS and they all have their chapters.
Nellie is, well they never say, but she seems a bit aspie. She talks like an old woman and has her own rules.
Marnie, the oldest is 15. She drinks, does drugs, does stupid things. But she is smart and she wants them together, so that is why they buried them and they try to keep up the act.
The third POV is Lennie. The neighbor, the only one that notices that something is wrong. He tries to look after them.
It's well written. 3 great POVS. You are in their heads, their miserable heads. It's not pretty, it's bleak, and it's really messed up. But it is so good, she has a great voice. I would totally read more by her.
Marnie and Nellie have 2 effed up alkie parents. Well had, they died and they buried them in the yard.
There are 3 POVS and they all have their chapters.
Nellie is, well they never say, but she seems a bit aspie. She talks like an old woman and has her own rules.
Marnie, the oldest is 15. She drinks, does drugs, does stupid things. But she is smart and she wants them together, so that is why they buried them and they try to keep up the act.
The third POV is Lennie. The neighbor, the only one that notices that something is wrong. He tries to look after them.
It's well written. 3 great POVS. You are in their heads, their miserable heads. It's not pretty, it's bleak, and it's really messed up. But it is so good, she has a great voice. I would totally read more by her.
also_molly's review
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.0
hedyd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
linzer712's review
4.0
Set in Glasgow, this book is infused with sadness and spirit as two sisters attempt to raise themselves after childhoods infused with neglect from their drunk, junkie parents. They book opens with their deaths and burials by the girls in their backyard, so they won't need to be split up un foster care. But the bodies and the past won't stay buried. It took me a little while to connect, but ultimately the alternating perspectives and the truth (and occasional poetry) in the writing were uplifting and touching.
fxp's review
4.0
Interesting book, well written from different perspectives, about a murder, difficult childhoods, and the strength of kids.