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xcrowingx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
emmaoswald's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sineadcarney's review
5.0
I've never read a novel like this, I loved it, the blurb doesn't do the book justice at all. It's written so well, and the slow reveal of even basic facts means the story is always a surprise. It's such a sad and lonesome story, but it's still fun to read, with a really human set of characters.
nicky___noo's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
zdslade's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
melissasingh's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
aurorasandsadnovels's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
angelfish257's review
5.0
This is a beautifully pitched and finely balanced read, the tone is quite dark and at times feels unrelentingly sad - but there are sharp sparks of humour despite the emotional trauma.
We meet Lindy Morris who is in her 50s - life seems to have been hard for her and over the course of the book we learn just how hard and where her low self esteem and poor opinion of herself has come from. Her family dynamics are heartbreaking and at times it feels like too much to keep going - the drip, drip drip of information and observations slowly reveals to the reader the layer upon layer of guilt, pain, expectation, regrets all interwoven and keeping the characters fixed in their interminable relationship loops.
Despite how bleak the story feels at times, there is still joy to be found - Lindy still has a sense of humour (albeit a dark and fairly twisted one) and a keen sense of observation. She may look and feel broken, but she has spark and it still burns brightly inside where she can keep it safe.
There is respite from the oppressive feeling when we go back to the 80s and learn about Lindy's time in London as a student - she definitely makes the most of her time there and it is nice to see her forge friendships and feel like she fits in for the first time in her life.
The story is beautifully told and the detailed descriptions throughout give a vivid feel of time and also place. Tish Delaney is a very talented writer - and the ending is incredibly satisfying!
We meet Lindy Morris who is in her 50s - life seems to have been hard for her and over the course of the book we learn just how hard and where her low self esteem and poor opinion of herself has come from. Her family dynamics are heartbreaking and at times it feels like too much to keep going - the drip, drip drip of information and observations slowly reveals to the reader the layer upon layer of guilt, pain, expectation, regrets all interwoven and keeping the characters fixed in their interminable relationship loops.
Despite how bleak the story feels at times, there is still joy to be found - Lindy still has a sense of humour (albeit a dark and fairly twisted one) and a keen sense of observation. She may look and feel broken, but she has spark and it still burns brightly inside where she can keep it safe.
There is respite from the oppressive feeling when we go back to the 80s and learn about Lindy's time in London as a student - she definitely makes the most of her time there and it is nice to see her forge friendships and feel like she fits in for the first time in her life.
The story is beautifully told and the detailed descriptions throughout give a vivid feel of time and also place. Tish Delaney is a very talented writer - and the ending is incredibly satisfying!