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cartermon4's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Grief, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Terminal illness, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
raintje's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Child death, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Car accident, Cancer, and Terminal illness
lauren625's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness and Murder
themookintosh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness, Child death, Death of parent, Suicide, and Murder
moond4ncer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Car accident, Terminal illness, Child death, Suicide, Death of parent, Violence, Cancer, Misogyny, and Murder
cozyfantasyfaetay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Medical content
babybabayaga's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Animal death, Death of parent, and Death
adliteracy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is what I would describe as a cozy, existential novel; it makes the reader feel good, yet tackles powerful themes including loss, death, and grief. I found the reading experience profoundly moving; yet I was also grounded by the pursuit of an interesting plot progression, full of interesting events and a healthy dose of good humor.
I noticed some recurring themes that made me chuckle, and a big part of the ending caught me by pleasant surprise; but unfortunately, I can't really elaborate on those favorite features without spoiling it. There are some really fun surprises that I really enjoyed!
I have a feeling the experience of reading this novel could vary quite a lot based upon the reader's mental state and current themes in their life. It is overall a positive, sensitive book that tells a great story. I highly recommend it to a reader wanting to experience the full scope of emotions from grief to hope.
Moderate: Death
Minor: Terminal illness
beepmbop's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Terminal illness, Self harm, and Racism
basil_touche's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
However, I think my main problem with this book is that Wallace's development doesn't feel earned. He changes his ways quite rapidly once he's in the tea shop and it's not really shown in enough depth for my liking. This in turn made his romance with ferryman Hugo just feel forced, I felt as though other characters or the narrative kept pointing out they had feelings for each other and I just didn't really care if they got together or not.
There was also some pacing issues as while the first few chapters were great at setting up the narrative, after they arrived at the tea shop not much happened and it became a slog up until 150 pages in, to which it picked up again for a few chapters before dipping again. I also don't like how some of the side characters were written (Desdemona and Harvey spring to mind) they felt rather one note and flat. Throughout the book I just kept wishing there was more things explored with the characters, sure they talk about grief in a personal way but it felt like they just kept repeating themselves after a point. It just felt too twee for my liking.
They were some aspects I did quite like, Nelson is my favourite character, love the idea of an old ghost who really doesn't care what other people think of him now but still cares deeply for his grandson and his friends. Cameron's story I thought was tragic and told in such an interesting way that it his exit from the narrative felt really satisfying. Also how when ghosts go through the door we're not shown what they see, only their reactions. Also Apollo the ghost dog, gotta love a ghost dog.
Again, maybe it's on me for setting my expectations to high for this. If you like Klune's other novels, you'll probably like this one. I'll still check out his other work, I just better tamper my expectations first.
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Child death, Murder, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Car accident