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aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Infidelity
errie's review against another edition
reflective
5.0
This book is slow, character driven, and weird with elements of the surreal hinted at but not explicitly addressed. All of the jobs are so different and the cast of supporting characters was mostly heartwarming. I found this comfortingly humorous without being laugh out loud funny, which is my favourite type of humour.
I enjoyed it throughout but what really took it up to a five star rating for me was the reveal at the end of what career had caused the main characters burnout. The description of this book had appealed to me in the first place as I am currently off work experiencing burnout myself, so to find out that we come from the same career really struck me and added a whole new level of depth and understanding to her character and story than I did before. I related so heavily to her worry about responsibility and becoming over involved with her jobs.
I enjoyed it throughout but what really took it up to a five star rating for me was the reveal at the end of what career had caused the main characters burnout. The description of this book had appealed to me in the first place as I am currently off work experiencing burnout myself, so to find out that we come from the same career really struck me and added a whole new level of depth and understanding to her character and story than I did before. I related so heavily to her worry about responsibility and becoming over involved with her jobs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying and Stalking
toffishay's review
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I like the message of this book, but the structure and pacing lost me. It's very slow. Each section is a different job that the main character is in and each one is interesting and kind of surreal, but then the surreal elements aren't followed through on. I think that part is an issue of expectation based on how the book is described on the back cover. It is more introspective and character driven than the description would have you to believe. I must admit that there were times that I was really bored. It isn't until the last section of the book that things progress plot-wise and where the message becomes clear, and then it all comes together at the end really quickly. I can see other people enjoying this more, but it just isn't for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Blood, and Abandonment
savvylit's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Conceptually, I loved this book. I loved the very real representation of burnout. I loved the elements of magical realism incorporated into most of the jobs. However, this book suffered from several issues that made this just an okay read for me. First and foremost, I think this book was a bit too long. The first job in particular felt disconnected from the rest. Unlike the other jobs, there was no magical realism and also no callbacks later in the novel.
My primary problem with this novel, though, (and this is mostly personal) is that the story seemed to be taking a strong anti-work stance and then dropped it. As many people know, career burnout is very real and can completely uproot a person's life. I appreciated that being the focus of this novel. Workaholism damages everyone. However, (spoiler alert) the resolution seemed to be that she just needed a little break and encouragement. Then she can go ahead and return to her career! I don't know why but it seemed as though the narrator was going to make a complete, permanent lifestyle change and instead she just... did not. Disappointing.
My primary problem with this novel, though, (and this is mostly personal) is that the story seemed to be taking a strong anti-work stance and then dropped it. As many people know, career burnout is very real and can completely uproot a person's life. I appreciated that being the focus of this novel. Workaholism damages everyone. However, (spoiler alert) the resolution seemed to be that she just needed a little break and encouragement. Then she can go ahead and return to her career! I don't know why but it seemed as though the narrator was going to make a complete, permanent lifestyle change and instead she just... did not. Disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Mental illness
Moderate: Stalking
kers_tin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Sexism and Gaslighting
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