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veelaughtland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Suicide
mindespair's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
With his third novel, Iain Reid has cemented himself as one of my favorite authors. I felt that Penny was somewhat of a self-insert for him, especially when she spoke about her art. The quote above really spoke to me because it felt like it came from Reid himself. His work does make me feel relief from my own darkness.
One of my favorite things about Reid as a writer (aside from his unreliable narrators) is his faith in his reader. He never makes the mistake of over-explaining, making you feel dumb. He lets his stories unravel organically without the need for a timeout to explain the logistics. He trusts you with your own interpretation. While I was reading this novel in particular, I kept trying to figure out how to explain what was going on; how Reid could explain it. Eventually I realized that he wouldn't. We don't need to be told why
This book mostly revolves around the fear of growing old, fading away, dying, etc. I found it very touching amidst the exhausting anti-aging craze. Growing old is a privilege. Life is beautiful because it ends. Eternal life is eternal torture. This book took all of these thoughts and whipped them into a beautiful psychological horror.
Lastly, I'd say that my favorite aspect of this novel is how strongly the residents of Six Cedars are pushed to be productive.
This is easily a new favorite. Read it if you can. This was an incredible start to 2024.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Kidnapping
Minor: Medical content, Animal death, and Suicide
disguisedposer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Suicide, Confinement, Death, and Gaslighting
luckythenoun's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Dementia, and Suicide
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical content, Suicide, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Death
gabforshort's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death
Minor: Suicide
The way we go from the main character caring so much about autonomy to seeing the walls break down between all of the characters. It’s like a mass forming before your eyes. Iain Reid is masterful in his use of subtle language to convey something eerie bubbling under the surface. Is it all in her head or is something really unsettling happening here? I didn’t call that twist!!! That explains the voices I didn’t call that ending :( The pacing of this book is so quick without feeling like it’s hurried. I wondered if we would ever get closure about if her ex really set her up for this home, if we would find out more about the other occupants and how they got here. I liked the love plot between Hilbert and the fmc.some_froggish_lad's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Confinement and Suicide
vanesst's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Suicide
mbmayo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book is told through Penny's eyes and we readers are left wondering whether her fears, paranoia and lost time are real and sinister or a merely a symptom of dementia? Reid's prose leaves either possibility open.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Body horror, and Dementia
Moderate: Suicide
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Medical content, Mental illness, and Suicide