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theabee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Child death
olivia636's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Suicide, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Death, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Addiction
margaretrose's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Emotional abuse, Death, Suicide, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Addiction, and Child death
thestorydoer's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Narratively, this book is fantastic. Each plot point flows from one beat to the next with a steady pace throughout the novel which is an impressive feat. Each character with an ebb and flow of introduction is introduced at the exact right time. It has excellent climactic reveals and the dialogue is good.
The character of Oliphant herself is utterly fantastic. An interesting character whose real world often intersects with her trauma in fascinating ways. There is an excellent emphasis on her social skills which walks the line on 'unsociable' people and how they can form a charisma in their own right.
This is about as far as I can talk about this book without spoiling so here we go:
The idea to make Eleanor's mother a figment of her subconscious was also an interesting narrative choice but one I grew to accept. However, the idea of Eleanor having a sister is predictable. Roughly 200 pages predictable. However, this thought would need a reread because I can't distinguish whether this was intentional or not. That being said, the dialogue with the social worker is a masterclass in writing with missing information and had me fooled the first time around.
There is also the classic issue with mental health. Her overcoming of her mental health issues leans slightly toward triumphant more than progressive. This, of course, begins to raise questions about the realism of the portrayal of her mental health issues which I feel I am not experienced enough to discuss.
I need to read this again so take this summary with a grain of salt.
Overall, an interesting and loveable character study which suffers from a couple pitfalls which hinder this book from greatness. 4/5
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Rape
erintypegirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Alcoholism, Addiction, Murder, Child abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death
Minor: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Domestic abuse, and Suicide attempt
ell24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Addiction, Death, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Grief, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Fatphobia, Medical content, Self harm, Murder, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
marigold82's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Ableism, and Child death
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Rape, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
cait_coll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Body shaming, Addiction, and Alcoholism
linab06r's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death