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annalaurasw's review
5.0
Books don’t often make me cry, but the conclusion of this one had me tearing up. With efficient but evocative prose, a compelling (though not always likeable) main character, and an air of unreality lent by the religious fervor/medical curiosity side of the plot, this was an engrossing read.
callienicole's review
2.0
I checked out this audiobook because I heard somewhere that it was good on audio, and that the ending was really good. All I knew going into it was that it's about a girl who reportedly doesn't eat. I'm not really sure what I thought about this book. I felt like it was trying to say something about religion, but never really got there, and while the ending was happy (I guess), it was also rather awful. Here is the content breakdown.
Language: Some milder cusswords are used throughout, and at least one use of Jesus's name in vain (it's harder for me to catch all the bad language on audio, which is why I sometimes prefer audiobooks).
Sexual Content: This is kind of a spoiler, but we find out one of the characters was involved in an incestuous relationship. I found this twist very disturbing, and probably wouldn't even have picked up the book if I had known. It wasn't graphic, but still.
Religion: Here is where there is a lot to say about this book. A nurse that comes to investigate this "miracle" Irish girl who won't eat, and the nurse, Lib, is very hostile toward God and religion in general. The fasting girl, Anna, is Catholic. Pretty much every Catholic doctrine with which Protestants would disagree is on full display in this book, and this girl takes them to the extreme by starving herself to fast for the soul of her brother, who she believes is in Purgatory.
The nurse is understandably horrified, but her inner commentary had flavors of Richard Dawkins's statement when he said that teaching your child religious beliefs is akin to child abuse. Now, I don't agree with any of the Catholic doctrines that were presented in this book (such as Purgatory, good works for the dead, praying to Mary, transubstantiation, etc) - I think they are extra-biblical and spiritually dangerous. But I was very bothered by the undertones of suggesting that religion itself is dangerous, and rather than these things being worked out by the main character throughout the book, all her very worst fears and suspicions are confirmed. The girl is being abused and neglected, and the only way to save her is to extricate her from this family and culture. I didn't see any character growth by the end, except for the nurse coming to love the girl. The nurse, who still seems pretty atheistic by the end of the book, ends up forming a family with two firm Catholics, which seems like a family conflict waiting to happen.
This is secular book, so I wasn't expecting it to wrap up nicely in that respect, but I was bothered by it overall. I'm still not sure where the author is coming from, or what message this book is meant to send.
I will say this, it was pretty good on audio. But I didn't like it overall, and wouldn't recommend it.
Language: Some milder cusswords are used throughout, and at least one use of Jesus's name in vain (it's harder for me to catch all the bad language on audio, which is why I sometimes prefer audiobooks).
Sexual Content: This is kind of a spoiler, but we find out one of the characters was involved in an incestuous relationship. I found this twist very disturbing, and probably wouldn't even have picked up the book if I had known. It wasn't graphic, but still.
Religion: Here is where there is a lot to say about this book. A nurse that comes to investigate this "miracle" Irish girl who won't eat, and the nurse, Lib, is very hostile toward God and religion in general. The fasting girl, Anna, is Catholic. Pretty much every Catholic doctrine with which Protestants would disagree is on full display in this book, and this girl takes them to the extreme by starving herself to fast for the soul of her brother, who she believes is in Purgatory.
The nurse is understandably horrified, but her inner commentary had flavors of Richard Dawkins's statement when he said that teaching your child religious beliefs is akin to child abuse. Now, I don't agree with any of the Catholic doctrines that were presented in this book (such as Purgatory, good works for the dead, praying to Mary, transubstantiation, etc) - I think they are extra-biblical and spiritually dangerous. But I was very bothered by the undertones of suggesting that religion itself is dangerous, and rather than these things being worked out by the main character throughout the book, all her very worst fears and suspicions are confirmed. The girl is being abused and neglected, and the only way to save her is to extricate her from this family and culture. I didn't see any character growth by the end, except for the nurse coming to love the girl. The nurse, who still seems pretty atheistic by the end of the book, ends up forming a family with two firm Catholics, which seems like a family conflict waiting to happen.
This is secular book, so I wasn't expecting it to wrap up nicely in that respect, but I was bothered by it overall. I'm still not sure where the author is coming from, or what message this book is meant to send.
I will say this, it was pretty good on audio. But I didn't like it overall, and wouldn't recommend it.
eluzum's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. At first I was a little skeptical and unsure because they characters seemed so stiff. But as the book went on I became so extremely invested in them that I could feel all their emotions. I felt the confusion, desperation, anguish, all of it was so strongly written that they really hit home. An interesting book because not only did I just want to KNOW what was going on, but I wanted to reach in and help. I had a similar progression as Lib It's not only an interesting story, but an important look at how religion can so forcefully shape peoples lives. And how easy it is to clash with someone from another culture, just by not understanding where they are coming from. I enjoy this book even though it gripped my heart. Emma Donoghue really has a way with words.
Spoiler
where at first I just wanted to know the secret behind the hoax. But by the end I just wanted to know if Anna would be okay and what would happen to her and if Lib could save her from her family and town.ellathelibrarian's review
4.0
4.5 A pretty incredible read, although I did find the story a little repetitive in parts.
jamiecakes0522's review
4.0
The beginning is slow. It felt like nothing was happening. It wasn’t until about halfway through when things started to get interesting.
This book wasn’t at all what I was expecting. But the story was interesting. Also sad but optimistic in the end.
It definitely held a mystery but not in the page turning kind of way.
By the end I was glad to have read it. It was a fascinating look at religion, “fasting girls” and 19th Century Ireland.
This book wasn’t at all what I was expecting. But the story was interesting. Also sad but optimistic in the end.
It definitely held a mystery but not in the page turning kind of way.
By the end I was glad to have read it. It was a fascinating look at religion, “fasting girls” and 19th Century Ireland.
bronski's review
4.0
The setting of this book (19th century rural Ireland) was enough to sell me, but add in medical mystery and I'm scrambling to get started. It was a slow moving plot, but by halfway through I constantly found myself reaching for the book to find out what happens next. I loved the frequent references to Florence Nightingale and learning how the field of nursing has evolved (there are still similarities, unfortunately).
kimcheel's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
lola_rocha's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0