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chris_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Dementia
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical content, and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Vomit
alexisgarcia's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
this book came to me at perfect time in my life. dolly alderton writes some of the some realistic characters i’ve ever read. her characters are flawed and just so human. the themes of ghosts and self contentment are so well done. i love how the story actually revolves around the main character, rather than the main character AND the love interest. it involved the main characters whole life, her romantic relationships, friendships, family, and even her relationship with herself. i just adored this book and will read anything dolly alderton writes till the end of time <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Cursing
leonormsousa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Dementia, and Pregnancy
itsheyfay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
My god this wasn’t the book I planned to start 2023 with, but I’m glad it’s over with because I had a hard time enjoying this. Some of the more serious parts revolving her dad’s dementia and her grief of growing up were well-written, but everything else felt so pompous. I get it’s supposed to be satirical and making social commentary, but this wasn’t vibing for me. I was definitely not the I tended audience for this book. 🤷🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Terminal illness, Ableism, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Abandonment
bookedbymadeline's review
Fucks sake I’m not reading anymore books with “I’m not like other girls” main characters!!!! Nina is a judgmental, condescending bully who criticizes 1.all her married friends for “following the rules” 2. her mom for trying to find joys and new things in middle age and 3. her one single friend for being “too quick”. This self proclaimed feminist character is the reason people say they hate feminism-SHES NOT A FEMINIST. Feminism is about choosing what you want whether it’s kids, no kids, monogamous marriage, polyamory, singledom whatever the hell YOU want not what others want for you.
It’s 2023-STOP WRITING THIS BS
It’s 2023-STOP WRITING THIS BS
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Dementia
h0lland's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book in the beginning but then grew incredibly tired of what a hater Nina was. But THEN, a few things happened and I found the negativity relatable and also sooo valid. Go off Nina. I will say that analyzing all of your interpersonal relationships through the same light as Ghosts does is probably not good for you! Once the last third of the book rolled around I was drawn in again. I know some people really hate the ending but I cannot really imagine any other ending fitting well here. This was a great coming-of-age for everyone past the age of 18 who is still coming of age. Also fuck Max
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Dementia
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
kathabooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Vomit, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Terminal illness
tiemzahra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nina Dean just turned 32, and finally tried to start dating again after a long-term relationship breakup. She tried online dating for the first time but became the victim of ghosting. Her dad was slowly falling into dementia, and Nina started thinking about ageing and the gendered double standard of it.
This book narrated Nina’s seemingly normal everyday life in a year she turned 32, and will be super relatable to people who face the same issue as Nina. Nina was childless, so more often than not she received comments that she must be leading an easier life because of it. At the same time, Nina was too judgmental of her friends’ choice when they become too busy raising a family to hang out with her, and towards her mother’s mid-life crisis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Deadnaming
Minor: Toxic friendship, Sexism, and Pregnancy
addie's review
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexism
snowhitereads's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I’ve read Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, and I’m… conflicted.
I really liked the concept of ghosts, not only in terms of the obvious modern day ghosting, and how our past originates some ghosts, and how dementia makes you face ghosts head on everyday.
My favourite dynamic in this book was actually between Nina and Katherine, portraying how friendships change over time. Their reconciliation was probably the best part of the book.
Now.. the parts that were my least favorite.
I found most of the characters were quite flat and cliché. The middle age crisis mom, the unlucky at love best friend, the girl frustrated by her man child husband, and creppy turned adorable neighbour. Take a pick, we have it all in this book.
But, above all else, I have a problem with the feminism in this book. Although there is an alleged feminist discourse throughtout the book, I didn’t find genuine at all.
The main character gave off very “woke” and I’m not like other girls' vibes. Her passive aggressive and self-righteous tension towards her married & parent friends and judgemental behaviour towards every woman who wasn’t exactly like herself made me mad.
Overall, this book was enjoyable but frustrating at the same time… if that makes any sense at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
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