Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - The Break

I’ve been meaning to read this for a long time. I’m so glad that I finally made time to read it.

The storytelling is great in this book, Vermette puts together a multi perspective novel so well. There are so many complex and interesting characters, and you leave the book caring about all of them. This is the type of book that you need to trust that it’s all going to come together, and it does. This was a great book club pick too, since there was a lot to discuss and reflect on!

I would highly recommend reading this if you haven’t already! This will likely be one of my favourite fiction reads of the year. I am really looking forward for The Strangers, which comes out next month and follows some of the same characters.

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sarahasyouwish's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

A sad and haunting multi-generational tale focusing on a number of Mate women in the Manitoba area. This book deals with a very difficult subject, sexual trauma, but does it in a respectful and not overly graphic way. The audiobook was beautifully narrated though I may have done slightly better following all of the different characters if I had read this one physically. At times, I did feel a little confused about whose perspective the book had shifted to and who that person was in relation to the other characters, but overall I could follow the story and themes without trouble. While I did not feel a strong attachment to any specific character, I was engaged by their stories and moved by the pain they had each experienced and the various ways they supported one another.

Content Warnings