Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Паперовий палац by Miranda Cowley Heller

185 reviews

natreadthat's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I both liked and disliked this book. 

A young girl meets a young boy at their Cape Cod summer homes and a friendship blossoms that lasts a lifetime.  

It’s not until Elle is fifty that she admits to herself that she has loved Jonas for as long as she’s known him. And then they have sex — even though they both have been happily married for years on end. 

Alternating between past and present, the story of Elle’s life, that has been speckled with harrowing abuse and trauma, comes to life. She must now decide between Peter, her beloved husband, and Jonas, her first and oldest love. 

The Paper Palace is well-written, but contains many dark themes. There were a number of times that I had to put this one down to take a breather. Despite this, it was a good read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Cancer

bella_cavicchi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Friends, it feels SO GOOD to be back and reading. And what a title to kick off my post-term reading with.

THE PAPER PALACE is sneaky -- I see the Cape and I think immediately 'beach read,' but what Heller has crafted instead is a layered (heavier) story of time and regret and love and longing. I am not as interested in literature that claims a moral high ground as I am in narratives that allow the characters to just 'be,' and I think Heller captures so well the reason why: trauma complicates absolutes, what is 'right' and 'wrong' blurred in response to abuse. I just want to give Elle a hug.

Heller also beautifully depicts Cape Cod as a vessel for memory. She said in a recent interview that "every time [she comes] back, it feels like the opposite of homesickness," and goodness, I can relate. It's a testament to her writing that the setting -- this 'Paper Palace' -- feels like another character.

One I'm happy to own. If you grab it too, please note a significant content warning for rape and pedophilia.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Grief

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death, Cancer, and Excrement

maisysbookshelf's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Rape

trish1oo1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense 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

Surpassed my expectations. A look at complex and real characters. I loved it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual assault

Minor: Misogyny

readchelsearead's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual content

omfgeleanor's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness

leahrosiee's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Medical trauma

Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Infertility, and Grief

kirayoshinaga's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

betsygrace's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

2.75

This book is okay, but it’s just not for me. Some of the main plot points were very triggering. I enjoy the slow burn and angsty vibe of the star crossed lovers, but the side plot and secrets they share are honestly just not for me. I would absolutely not recommend this for anyone who has experienced any kind of sexual trauma because it definitely is a focal point among some characters in the book and I found it triggering to read. Overall, however, this book wasn’t bad, it’s just not a good fit for me specifically as a reader. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

sarahkstice's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense 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

3.0

I think this author has great potential, but could definitely work on subtlety and cohesiveness of the characters. I loved the scoping history of the family, but the descriptions of the characters at different times in their lives didn't always seem to line up. And the love affair felt a little too obvious--subtlety and longing would have gone better. Overall, though, I enjoyed it, and though I frequently quit books that don't meet my expectations, I was curious enough to her reading this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy