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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5
This is like Eleanor Oliphant but less depressing (even though this is about a death doula). I thought it was sweet and a nice ode to NYC, particularly the East Village, so that was fun for me. It was fairly predictable, although it had one subversion of a normal trope/set up that I really appreciated. Just a good, enjoyable story that's smooth but I don't know that I'll look back at this as an unforgettable read or anything.
This is like Eleanor Oliphant but less depressing (even though this is about a death doula). I thought it was sweet and a nice ode to NYC, particularly the East Village, so that was fun for me. It was fairly predictable, although it had one subversion of a normal trope/set up that I really appreciated. Just a good, enjoyable story that's smooth but I don't know that I'll look back at this as an unforgettable read or anything.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
On my deathbed, my life's regret will be reading this book.
JK that's dramatic, but seriously, how is this book so highly rated? Once again, marketing has done me dirty, because this was nothing like "The Midnight Library" other than the central themes of death and regret. Where the "Midnight Library" is imaginative, poignant, and evocative, "The Collected Regrets of Clover" felt trite, boring, and just not executed that well.
Let's start with Clover—I get that she's supposed to read as an intelligent, friendless but kind-hearted loner who's dedicated to her job as a death doula. While this is partially true, she mostly came across to me as stuffy, judgmental, and generally kind of boorish and unlikeable. It's hard to empathize with her friendlessness because I wouldn't really want to be her friend, either. In fact, most of the characters felt like they were trying really hard to fill some archetypal role and just fell flat—Claudia as the spirited old woman ahead of her times (who is really just giving peak white feminism), or grandpa as the wise and stoic old man (who really just doesn't have much personality at all). Don't even get me started on Sebastian and how much of the book is dedicated to their cringey relationship.
Overall, the supposedly heartfelt messages in this book just came across as stale to me—the rough equivalent of a "Live, Laugh, Love" knick-knack. I'd skip this one unless you want to finish with mild regrets over wasted time. 2.5/5
JK that's dramatic, but seriously, how is this book so highly rated? Once again, marketing has done me dirty, because this was nothing like "The Midnight Library" other than the central themes of death and regret. Where the "Midnight Library" is imaginative, poignant, and evocative, "The Collected Regrets of Clover" felt trite, boring, and just not executed that well.
Let's start with Clover—I get that she's supposed to read as an intelligent, friendless but kind-hearted loner who's dedicated to her job as a death doula. While this is partially true, she mostly came across to me as stuffy, judgmental, and generally kind of boorish and unlikeable. It's hard to empathize with her friendlessness because I wouldn't really want to be her friend, either. In fact, most of the characters felt like they were trying really hard to fill some archetypal role and just fell flat—Claudia as the spirited old woman ahead of her times (who is really just giving peak white feminism), or grandpa as the wise and stoic old man (who really just doesn't have much personality at all). Don't even get me started on Sebastian and how much of the book is dedicated to their cringey relationship.
Overall, the supposedly heartfelt messages in this book just came across as stale to me—the rough equivalent of a "Live, Laugh, Love" knick-knack. I'd skip this one unless you want to finish with mild regrets over wasted time. 2.5/5
After reading the first couple of chapters of this book, I wasn’t sure I’d want to continue. Clover was such a quiet, introverted character, so full of her own sadness, yet still so kind and empathetic. I’m glad I stayed with it, though. I loved watching Clover open her heart and her mind, and it turned out to be a very beautiful and sweet story.
In a world where it seems that the most popular books are those that are fast-paced and highly saturated, it’s important to remember that there are significant books that are slow and soft and worthwhile too.
This is one of those books. Don’t get me wrong: It still has a compelling plot. It still has big emotions, but it’s not shoved into your face and down your throat.
I love that this book had hints of romance, but it wasn’t the primary plot line. I love that it flipped the script and looked at life through the lens of death, not as something to be feared, but as something to be respected as a sign of a life well-lived.
There were a few moments where some of the actions had me questioning their probability, but in all, those moments were greatly overshadowed by the beautiful themes and feelings that this book gives birth to.
This is one of those books. Don’t get me wrong: It still has a compelling plot. It still has big emotions, but it’s not shoved into your face and down your throat.
I love that this book had hints of romance, but it wasn’t the primary plot line. I love that it flipped the script and looked at life through the lens of death, not as something to be feared, but as something to be respected as a sign of a life well-lived.
There were a few moments where some of the actions had me questioning their probability, but in all, those moments were greatly overshadowed by the beautiful themes and feelings that this book gives birth to.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 Stars • The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer is about Clover Brooks, a death doula in NYC who helps dying people while collecting their regrets. Her work with an elderly woman named Claudia forces her to face her own isolated life, past losses, and fears, leading her to new relationships and a chance to embrace living fully.
#Bookish #TheCollectedRegretsOfClover #MikkiBrammer
#Bookish #TheCollectedRegretsOfClover #MikkiBrammer
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced