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holly_ey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Miscarriage
hannahandabook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Oh man, what a rollercoaster this book was. I read the majority of this book over the course of a day, picking it up for a bit, then having a bit of a break, then picking it up again. It was pretty heavy going so the breaks were definitely needed.
I never cry when I read books. I may get a little bit teary eyed but I never properly cry. But this book had me absolutely bawling and that is entirely down to Mike Gayle's writing and how easily I was able to connect to the characters in this story. From the get go he opened them up to us, showed us their flaws, their histories, their desires in life. They were so vivid to me, it was as though they were characters in a show I’d been watching for years.
The exploration of the British class system and how your privilege, or lack of it, can affect your whole life was front and centre and raised a lot of important questions. It hit home just how lucky I am to come from a stable family and to never have experienced the difficulties that Kerry faces in this story. It’s why I think this book is a really important read for everyone.
I want to warn people that this book touches on some pretty heavy topics and I think you need to be in the right mindset to read it.
I never cry when I read books. I may get a little bit teary eyed but I never properly cry. But this book had me absolutely bawling and that is entirely down to Mike Gayle's writing and how easily I was able to connect to the characters in this story. From the get go he opened them up to us, showed us their flaws, their histories, their desires in life. They were so vivid to me, it was as though they were characters in a show I’d been watching for years.
The exploration of the British class system and how your privilege, or lack of it, can affect your whole life was front and centre and raised a lot of important questions. It hit home just how lucky I am to come from a stable family and to never have experienced the difficulties that Kerry faces in this story. It’s why I think this book is a really important read for everyone.
I want to warn people that this book touches on some pretty heavy topics and I think you need to be in the right mindset to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
bookskatlikes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
** spoiler alert ** I was warned by many when I started this book that I will require tissues to cope with the heartache it's about to give me. Yet, I wasn't quite ready to be so broken by the end of it. I sobbed for a good hour, no lie.
What I particularly liked (but also absolutely hated at the same time because it's just so unfair!!), is how true Gayle stayed to real life. There was no "sugarcoating"; no unbelievable happy endings because he simply could have just re-written Kerry's story to make it all pink and fluffy. But he didn't. I fell in love with all the characters and when I learned we are about to lose Kerry, and so soon after Noah and her reconnected I felt CRUSHED! My heart bled for Kian and the rest of the family.
Half a World Away is honest, raw and moving story about finding one's self, about family and about unconditional love and sacrifice.
It was everything I expected and more.
What I particularly liked (but also absolutely hated at the same time because it's just so unfair!!), is how true Gayle stayed to real life. There was no "sugarcoating"; no unbelievable happy endings because he simply could have just re-written Kerry's story to make it all pink and fluffy. But he didn't. I fell in love with all the characters and when I learned we are about to lose Kerry, and so soon after Noah and her reconnected I felt CRUSHED! My heart bled for Kian and the rest of the family.
Half a World Away is honest, raw and moving story about finding one's self, about family and about unconditional love and sacrifice.
It was everything I expected and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Moderate: Infertility
theanxiousbookworm_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
TW: Cancer and Death
I was not aware of the trigger warnings before entering this book which is why I think this book received the reaction that it did. Having lost somebody I love to cancer I found that this book was a very difficult read, which I think I would have liked to have known about before going in. I still would have read the book but feel like I would have been better prepared. Having said that, the author deals with this theme in a very delicate way, giving it justice for the readers who may be able to relate to what is going on. I feel like if you are able to read this book with the trigger warnings considered then you should definitely pick up this book.
I liked the writing style adapted and the multiple POVs. I enjoyed getting to know both Kerry and Noah in their separate chapters. I feel like this was very important in order for the reader to build up the much needed connection with them both. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship come to gather and grow in a way I don't think I expected. I also liked getting to know other characters including Kian and Millie and how they adapted to the situations that they are given at such a young age. My heart broke for Kian so many times, I dont think I am quite over it yet. The only character that irritated me and I couldn't gel with is Rosalind, I'm not sure I was meant to like her but I got to the point where I couldn't stand her.
There are a few time jumps in this book where, chunks of the story are missing, this left me confused on occasions and I would have liked those gaps filled, if not just in a few pages so that it made a bit more sense. I also would have liked more regarding Kian and dealing with the death of his mother instead of the focus on Noah and Rosalind towards the end. That might be a biased opinion based on my dislike for Rosalind but I just feel like Kerry and Kian were forgotten about and I would have liked a little bit more for closure.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It made me cry and I dont generally cry when I read books so it was definitely impactful. What I will say is to take note of other reviews and trigger warnings before entering this book just in case it is not for you at the time of reading. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Infertility, and Miscarriage
blackcoffee_andgoodbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
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