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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
Clover is a quietly satisfying read. Its full of endearing gems that sneakily pile up so when you flip the last page, you realize that this original novel was nourishing and introspectively delightful.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the initial premise of this book! The idea of a death doula is so cool and I didn’t know they existed. I loved the beginning of this book and how Clover was an awkward introvert who liked to talk about death. She actually reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant (who I love!), but then… the middle happened.
And unfortunately, the story just got messy. Many of the side characters felt like the same person and I don’t feel like we had the time to really develop the relationships. This book started so strong but then fell into the trap of telling rather than showing. There were too many things trying to happen and not enough time to allow them to happen naturally. I also found myself dreading it would turn into cliche storytelling and then when the moment didn’t turn into cliches, I kind of wished they would have because the cliche story could have been better developed—if that makes any sense whatsoever.
I wanted more for this book and it was nearly there. Just needed more time and less going on.
And unfortunately, the story just got messy. Many of the side characters felt like the same person and I don’t feel like we had the time to really develop the relationships. This book started so strong but then fell into the trap of telling rather than showing. There were too many things trying to happen and not enough time to allow them to happen naturally. I also found myself dreading it would turn into cliche storytelling and then when the moment didn’t turn into cliches, I kind of wished they would have because the cliche story could have been better developed—if that makes any sense whatsoever.
I wanted more for this book and it was nearly there. Just needed more time and less going on.
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I always enjoy a book reflecting on death and dying, and this one does it beautifully. Maybe a little too feel-good for my tastes though, and the described shunning of death workers weirded me out a little as someone who works a lot with death myself without ever really seeing that attitude (though I'm willing to chalk it up to cultural differences).
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“The secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life.”
While I thought this book was about death, I think it’s really a book about grief. There were so many things I loved about this book and if there was anything I didn’t like I really can’t think of it. This was a beautifully told story about a woman learning to live after learning so much about death.
Despite the subject matter, I found this to be a very relaxing and cozy read. There aren’t high stakes like in most books. The life vs death is much more real as opposed to some dangerous adventure and delves into the importance of all kinds of relationships.
I loved being able to see Clover’s world view through the relationship with her grandfather and how he also may have failed her as a parent in some ways even while being a great one.
I loved seeing her navigate the beginnings of a friendship and how to heal that friendship after arguments and mistakes. I loved the relationship she cultivated with Claudia, even though she knew Claudia was on her deathbed, and becoming her friend anyway.
I loved reading about her first romantic encounters with Sebastian and learning how dating can show you want you don’t want…and then subsequently meeting someone who complimented her well. (I also loved how we got to see what led her to the beginning of this romance rather than the romance itself.)
I loved the little conversations with Leo and how everything she learned in the book before his death helped her to grieve him better.
And most of all, I loved seeing her learn to have a relationship with herself and cultivate her happiness by finally allowing herself to live in spite of the sadness and heartbreak that can come with it.
This is a truly beautiful story and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone.
While I thought this book was about death, I think it’s really a book about grief. There were so many things I loved about this book and if there was anything I didn’t like I really can’t think of it. This was a beautifully told story about a woman learning to live after learning so much about death.
Despite the subject matter, I found this to be a very relaxing and cozy read. There aren’t high stakes like in most books. The life vs death is much more real as opposed to some dangerous adventure and delves into the importance of all kinds of relationships.
I loved being able to see Clover’s world view through the relationship with her grandfather and how he also may have failed her as a parent in some ways even while being a great one.
I loved seeing her navigate the beginnings of a friendship and how to heal that friendship after arguments and mistakes. I loved the relationship she cultivated with Claudia, even though she knew Claudia was on her deathbed, and becoming her friend anyway.
I loved reading about her first romantic encounters with Sebastian and learning how dating can show you want you don’t want…and then subsequently meeting someone who complimented her well. (I also loved how we got to see what led her to the beginning of this romance rather than the romance itself.)
I loved the little conversations with Leo and how everything she learned in the book before his death helped her to grieve him better.
And most of all, I loved seeing her learn to have a relationship with herself and cultivate her happiness by finally allowing herself to live in spite of the sadness and heartbreak that can come with it.
This is a truly beautiful story and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I almost gave up on this book but so happy I pushed through the slow start. The end had me tearing up
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes