Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

1 review

bekacrook's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A really good story with a lesson being taught throughout. Helen grew and developed as the story progressed but at no point became an unrealistic version of herself. She still had doubts and focused on the sad moments more than the happy at times but she was making a conscious effort to try to be better and improve herself, her mindset and her life. She felt very honest and real and complex, her life shaped by her experiences even when she hasn't realised it fully yet. I enjoyed seeing her open herself up and give people and things a chance which enabled her to enjoy her life more. 

I loved how besotted Jake was from the beginning and how everyone knew it but Helen. He again, felt like a real person who was complex and different and had his own share of difficulties but chose to deal with them differently to Helen. He was kind and brave and honest and funny. He cared so much. 

The journey through the wilderness was interesting, it had a good mix of scenic details and events to keep it entertaining and vivid to picture. There was confusion, and pain and hope on the journey for most of the characters in different ways. I loved how the relationships developed within the party of hikers and how we discovered more about them and softened towards them as Helen did. 

A really enjoyable read that made me nearly tear up and made me feel irrationally hopeful and frustrated on the characters behalf. I liked the choice of where the story started and ended and I really loved the epilogue. 

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