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jennyshelby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A mother's heart breaks a million ways in her lifetime.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism and Violence
marpaige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Death, Suicide, and Sexual content
ellilo's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Self harm, Abandonment, Car accident, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
ms_staplin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Child death
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
anasf21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
emeraldjulep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I can hardly breathe having just finished this book. Like so many other reviewers I spent every free moment I had in the last day and 1/2 completely engrossed in this deeply unsettling, but moving story. She delves deeply into nature vs. nurture but allows the reader to question which wins out without spelling it all out. I was with Blythe the whole way-hoping but unsure of whether or not she had a grip on reality. It’s probably a better read for seasoned moms who can relate to the complexity motherhood. It’s never exactly what one expects- and it works out better for some than others. I agree with another reviewer that if you are pregnant or have very young children, don’t go here.
It’s an incredible work for a debut author. The characters and the plot are both so layered, the twists and pacing right on. I thought the ending was perfect.
I would have rated it higher becaue although it is very plausible that these things could happen, it’s improbable that all of it would happen to one woman and her lineage. It made me desperately sad for Blythe having had such an unfortunate childhood followed by such a sad adulthood - so unfair.
Highly recommend if you are up for a dark, intense read. (Narration was really great too).
Graphic: Vomit, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
dimagnolia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Child death, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Abortion, Alcoholism, Suicide, and Car accident
ajeinsig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Stalking and Toxic relationship
dorothe92's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, and Death
analenegrace's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The only reason it received less than five stars was because I found the descriptions of women's bodies almost hurtful to the story Audrain was telling especially one meant to be a reckoning with the role of mothers.
Graphic: Car accident, Blood, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Child death
Moderate: Abortion