Reviews

Rest and Be Thankful by Emma Glass

lib_23's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.25

peanutvue's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lit_laugh_luv's review against another edition

5.0

A creepy and visceral view of a healthcare worker’s experience in a paediatric unit, this lovely gem is filled with some beautiful lyrical prose. It is very much written as a stream-of-consciousness style (it reminded me of Paradise Rot or Cursed Bread) and is deliberately confusing. The novel is addressed to Laura’s (the protagonist) ex-partner as they navigate a split amidst her work supporting a critically ill baby in the ICU. Despite the short length, Laura is an interesting character and the surrealism is really well done.

I think this did a great job representing the grief and trauma that is associated with patient care, and how those emotions can impact our broader perception of the world. I really enjoyed the writing in this, but I’ll admit there’s a few scenes I didn’t really “get” - the ending was relatively clear to me but the scene with the crow didn’t fully make sense to me?

Either way I’d definitely recommend this if you like the work of Ottessa Moshfegh, Mona Awad or Julia Armfield!

We will wake up one day in a wasteland, surrounded by the crumbling bones of those who loved us and waited for us to love them back. We did not forget but we were too busy being useful. We will crumble next to them but it will take forever, we will sit amongst the piles of dust alone.

leaf_7's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

5.0

noecitos's review against another edition

dark emotional sad

4.5

chrisoula_m's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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

3.5

Excellent writing style 

peckreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical trauma, Grief, Medical content, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Death

Minor: Blood and Cancer

theoreticalsiren's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

kimberlyds's review

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

sarahruthsreads's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75