Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller

14 reviews

andrearbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

This book holds the distinction of the longest tenure (7 years!) on my to-read list, and I decided it was time to finally move it onto the read list. This is a well-told story about the complexity and challenge of a marriage. Told in both real-time and through letters that Ingrid has left behind for her husband, the book pieces together the story of what brought everyone to here. This is very much a heavy emotional read, but also so wonderfully written.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage and Infidelity

Moderate: Abortion

Minor: Cancer

marlensophie's review

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, Suicide, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Terminal illness

zezeki's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Abortion, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts

brittanyrbell's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Miscarriage

colorwriter's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad slow-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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Miscarriage, Child death, and Abortion

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective slow-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

3.75

 Swimming Lessons looks at a toxic relationship between an academic and a student, and the impact it had on their two daughters. The story unfolds via two main timelines. In the present Gil, has had an accident which results in younger daughter Flora returning home and learning he is dying. It also rekindles her desire to find out exactly what happened to her mother, who disappeared, presumed drowned, when Flora was a child. The past relationship between Gil and Ingrid is told via a series of letters Ingrid has written and hidden in some of the many books around the house. TW for miscarriage. Know that the ending is ambiguous. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Grief

annaforthebooks's review

challenging emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage and Mental illness

samreynard's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Rape

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Suicide, Misogyny, Child death, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abortion

sophia_konrad's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-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

1.0

Likable characters are very hard to find in this book, and any characters that do have redeeming qualities are so mistreated that it makes the book ten times more frustrating. Ingrid’s letters are super compelling, but the main timeline of the book is boring and infuriating. If you like books where nothing happens and everyone is terrible, this is the one for you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Cancer, and Miscarriage

jennikreads's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Toxic friendship

Minor: Abortion