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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
A truly beautiful writer, the dialogue and character development was both effortless and magical, although I did find the ending all a bit triggering.
Parents: do we need them?
(Would have given this 4.5 if Goodreads allowed for such things)
(Would have given this 4.5 if Goodreads allowed for such things)
I enjoyed the way this was written and was sucked in to the dysfunction of the mother daughter relationship at its heart but it left me with a lot of unanswered questions about the why. It felt really painful and like an intrusion at times, an unreliable narrator making it hard to like any of the characters. It was short and I was left wanting a bit more depth.
It was tragic and funny, very well written, exquisite details, but how empty relationships can be whatever you try.
This book... hmm. It felt more like an autobiography than fiction, extremely well observed and written, with real characters, depth and family pain and complications. But nothing really happens... apart from life and this is its strength and weakness. It's like reading about your life or your neighbour's life, fascinating but familiar. If you're into that, you'll love it. Beauty in the mundane, intrigue in the normal. Under the skin complications of family dynamics.
A curious book that got me and I'm still not sure why... Maybe its 5 star, maybe it's 2...
A curious book that got me and I'm still not sure why... Maybe its 5 star, maybe it's 2...
Dazzlingly accurate emotional portrayal of a mother and daughter’s inability to communicate with each other. Painful, tense and sharply drawn- I loved readying this.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this in one sitting with a short break to take a breather from this claustrophobic overwhelming story. This book is sparse and carefully written and every brutal word tears away the defenses and excuses of the main character until there is nothing left. It all felt very close to home. For example, the description of the narcissistic father was like the author was writing about my own father. I know the bitter taste of the tall tales & the personality stitched together from other people's highlight reels.
It left me wanting to apologise to my mum and give her a big hug.
It left me wanting to apologise to my mum and give her a big hug.
slow-paced
A fascinating character study about a mother and a daughter. What if you've always been ambivalent about your mother, or sometimes even hated her? What happens when she grows old, becomes ill, and needs you? Is it possible to find some love? My #librarianhusband read this too and had a very different take on it to me. He thought the mother was awful. I thought the daughter should have tried harder. Either way, it's a good read.
Thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue.
And the character development.
Not likeable, but we'll drawn.
And the character development.
Not likeable, but we'll drawn.