Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Half a World Away by Mike Gayle

9 reviews

jim83's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness

sophsreadingbooks's review against another edition

emotional inspiring 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Death

Minor: Addiction

gabbyyy_'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Infertility, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Cancer, and Death

Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Addiction, Dementia, and Grief

agirlnamedellie's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

It was my first time reading a novel by Mike Gayle and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't have the same drive to read it as some of the other books I have read this year but I think that was just me and not the story itself. I liked that each chapter swapped between the 2 siblings and in places gave the same events but from each characters perspective. The story was emotional and heartbreaking at times, and especially towards the end even made me well up but it also had some light-hearted and funny moments between Kerry, Kian and Noah. I liked that the author covering lots of different issues such as race, class, the social care system and family relationships throughout the novel and thought it was very well integrated within the story itself. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Medical content, Abandonment, and Cancer

Moderate: Addiction and Miscarriage

bookswithgeorgia's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Cancer

cancatervate's review

inspiring sad fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Abandonment, Miscarriage, Cancer, Death, and Infertility

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Addiction, Infertility, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Excrement, Grief, Cancer, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Abandonment

Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

please note additional content warning for talk of

child neglect, care system, adoption, fostering, children's care home, parental abandonment on several occasions, hospitals, hospices

annabarnardwright's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-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

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a slow burner with a lot of detail but I never felt bored.

Mike Gayle’s writing is very simple and easy to read, but both narrators had such distinct voices which made them fully believable and I loved both of them.

The plot caught me completely off guard, I didn’t see Kerry’s story coming at all and the last few chapters were a tough read. I liked how the story was about a sibling relationship rather than a love interest. I’d love to know what’s happening another 5 years down the line.

The balance between the main characters and central plot, and the minor characters and side plots felt perfect. Enough detail to feel realistic and give the story depth without wasting time or taking away from Noah and Kerry.

I’ll definitely be looking for more of Mike Gayle’s books to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Death, and Terminal illness

Minor: Addiction

catladyreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

tialowman's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, Death, and Addiction