Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

De aard van breekbare dingen by Susan Meissner

2 reviews

wellreadmegs's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Once I got into this book I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to find out what happened. There aren't many books I've read about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake but I found it fascinating to learn about. San Francisco is a city I truly love and enjoy so reading about its history was even more exciting. 

This book tackled motherhood, justice, and how neither of those things is as black and white as you may think. All the characters had some morally gray moments - some more the others and it made you think about what you would do in that situation. 

The world is complex and so is this book - even in the early 1900s especially for women. Susan Meissner continues to be an auto-read author and I love falling down the rabbit hole of her books. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny

mwvandermeulen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

4.5

Tugged my heartstrings with the story of an almost-orphaned 5yo girl needing a mom, the bond that she forms with her dad’s “mail order bride”, the  destruction of the San Francisco earthquake at the turn of the century, and female friendships. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization