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savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A difficult thing about this novel is that Martha uses her mental health struggles as an excuse to be genuinely rude and cruel to her loved ones. Especially her husband. Though eventually she realizes she's actually an asshole outside of her diagnosis, it was excruciating to experience Martha being needlessly mean-spirited.
Overall, I liked Sorrow and Bliss and following Martha's journey. The whole novel felt really realistic, even (and especially) in its most unlikeable moments.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I did struggle at first, with the narration style, I found it kind of juvenile and obnoxious, and that feeling lasted for quite a while; for about one-third of the book. Every few pages I was contemplating about stopping reading. And then it kind of fell into place and the narration made sense, and I started to be submerged in the story. Up until the diagnosis paragraph where the actual diagnosis is withheld and dashes are put in ita name. I don't get it. It's the kind of thing that perpetuates the shame and stigma, not naming what we fear. The specifics weren't needed; if the structure of the story was a bit different, I think the author could get away with all this mess. And then comes the end, which I quite liked, and the characters are still in pain but have grown, and it's not overly happy, which is a good thing. It is rather real.
So, an experience with its ups and downs, but on the positive side in the end.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Addiction, Grief, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
novi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reading this kinda reminds me of: "Really Good, Actually" by Monica Heisey (bc of the stream of consciousness and funny writing, and bc it's a journey of a woman towards having a breakdown. But "Sorrow and Bliss" was more rollercoaster-y mentally and has a more sombre tone to it), and the movie "About Time" (bc of this big british family characters that are very present in the book and they're all unique although not as functional as the movie).
People always talk about the sisterhood in this book and yes. I agree. It's so heartwarming in a non-cheesy way, bc these sisters refused anything cringy lol so don't worry. But it was so warm and made me cry.
I cried at the end of this book. It was a touched-cry. Not a sad-cry. My worry when starting this book was it's gonna be depressing. But for me personally, it's not. Like I said there are times where the main character was so so unbelievably annoying, but it was then balanced with a loooot of warmth and hug from other characters and the main character herself. And the humor. I love the humor.
I still don't know if i'm gonna give it 4 or 4.5 stars though. idk why
Moderate: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism
maggienistler's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
jupiter5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Vomit
rambling_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcoholism and Emotional abuse
amaya_jam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Despite this, I found myself highlighting a dozen or so passages and could see myself recommending this to a couple people. maybe i’ll like the book more as i mull over it in my mind.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Pregnancy
Moderate: Domestic abuse
mollybhussey'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
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
helenajoy_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Abortion and Death of parent
samvgass'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
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Pregnancy