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meganshu527's review
5.0
I overly enjoyed this book mostly because I can relate to it being that I've been away in a psych ward. It was hard at first but you eventually grow with some people and gain connections. We're all in this thing called life together. So let's fight this together. That's what I learned from reading this book.
bmeh13's review against another edition
3.0
[DISCLAIMER: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway]
I really enjoyed how this book dealt with mental illnesses and it felt very authentic to me. I also appreciated that the author seemed to have actually done research into various mental illnesses instead of just writing a book based on how anxiety and depression are depicted in the media. Some of the character development felt incomplete, like they didn't really make progress, however they did feel very fleshed out and well developed. It felt unnecessarily long considering it was pretty much a novel-length character study and there was hardly any plot, but the characters were enjoyable and I liked that you could form your own opinions about them/their actions.
Overall, I felt that this book dealt with its subject matter excellently and with great respect, however it was a little too long for me considering not much really happened.
I really enjoyed how this book dealt with mental illnesses and it felt very authentic to me. I also appreciated that the author seemed to have actually done research into various mental illnesses instead of just writing a book based on how anxiety and depression are depicted in the media. Some of the character development felt incomplete, like they didn't really make progress, however they did feel very fleshed out and well developed. It felt unnecessarily long considering it was pretty much a novel-length character study and there was hardly any plot, but the characters were enjoyable and I liked that you could form your own opinions about them/their actions.
Overall, I felt that this book dealt with its subject matter excellently and with great respect, however it was a little too long for me considering not much really happened.
hayleybeale's review
3.0
Easy reading YA novel about five teens with different mental issues who have been sent to Camp Ugunduzi, a “wilderness therapy camp.” See my full review here. Reviewed from an ARC.
lottecharlotte's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lindsey_kerrigan's review
2.0
I went into this hoping it was better than it was but unfortunately it never really did it for me. This camp setting that they were put in was a little strange and by the end there was zero closure, the author tried to give off the impression that some of the characters had grown but had they really? Clarisa is the only one that I'm convinced improved by the end of the book. I'm deeply confused by why Mason was even there? We got absolutely zero closure on Andrew, I feel like even an update on his perspective in the hospital would've been nice? Andrew was one of the characters I liked the best and I just can't understand why the author ditched his happy ending it feels extremely unfinished. Stella and Ben might've changed a little, but not a whole ton. And the constant harping on the counselors got old quickly. I might've enjoyed this story if I was a little younger but for where I am now, it never made me excited or eager to finish it, I kind of just stumbled through and made it to the end without reading anything that I actually really enjoyed.
rkiladitis's review
3.0
Five teens meet at a wilderness camp to work on the challenges in their lives. Clarissa suffers from OCD and anxiety; Ben disassociates from reality, preferring to live through movies or television shows; Andrew is the singer of a band, suffering from the anorexia he believes will make him look like the type of rock star fans want to see; Stella suffers from depression, and Mason's narcissistic personality disorder shows through as an overconfidence and arrogance that puts other people far below his estimation.
Told in separate, first-person narratives, each teen tells a bit of their story - what brought them to wilderness camp - and their point of view experience of the four week program. We read about their daily struggles, clashes with other campers, and staff. The five come together, but don't really accomplish much over the course of the novel. Most of the time, the characters bicker with the counselors or among themselves, but there is time for a brief romance and the beginnings of some friendships. As in real life, four weeks is not a realistic amount of time to expect the characters to be cured; this is a snapshot of a moment in their therapies.
Four Weeks, Five People is a read that draws you in and progresses quickly. It's an interesting way to start a dialogue about mental illness, but if you're looking for a deeper read, I suggest Christina Kilbourne's Detached, Jo Knowles' Still a Work in Progress, or J.J. Johnson's Believarexic.
Told in separate, first-person narratives, each teen tells a bit of their story - what brought them to wilderness camp - and their point of view experience of the four week program. We read about their daily struggles, clashes with other campers, and staff. The five come together, but don't really accomplish much over the course of the novel. Most of the time, the characters bicker with the counselors or among themselves, but there is time for a brief romance and the beginnings of some friendships. As in real life, four weeks is not a realistic amount of time to expect the characters to be cured; this is a snapshot of a moment in their therapies.
Four Weeks, Five People is a read that draws you in and progresses quickly. It's an interesting way to start a dialogue about mental illness, but if you're looking for a deeper read, I suggest Christina Kilbourne's Detached, Jo Knowles' Still a Work in Progress, or J.J. Johnson's Believarexic.
gothdess's review
4.0
This book made me smile and cry. I really enjoyed and connected with these characters. They felt so real, their emotions, their mannerisms, and they way they express their mental illness. The author has thoroughly gone through the different types of mental illnesses and managed to display them across the pages of this book in a non-stigmatized manner.
I loved this book, and even the realistic ending which made me feel sad, but life doesn’t always have happy endings. The ending is open and leaves room for characters to grow from this experience at a chaotic therapy camp.
I loved this book, and even the realistic ending which made me feel sad, but life doesn’t always have happy endings. The ending is open and leaves room for characters to grow from this experience at a chaotic therapy camp.
patricktate7's review
2.0
2.5/5 stars
**no spoilers**
Unfortunately, this book fell really flat for me. I have been reading a lot of fantasy recently, and decided to pick up a contemporary to start my year. I was really interested in the premise of "Four Weeks, Five People" and there seemed to be a lot of representation of different mental health issues, which I was excited to read about!
Throughout the entire book, I felt as if the characters were clouded and I was unable to fully get to know them. This book is mainly character driven, which I am completely happy with; however, when the characters feel distant, this usually doesn't turn out well.
We follow five different characters throughout the story, but their "growth" felt extremely fast and not organic. The relationships between characters had little to no chemistry and I just did not care about any romance or friendships. I wish we followed one character through their experience at this mental health summer camp and were able to focus on one whole story, rather than five incomplete stories.
Also, because the book was so focused on characters, the "plot twist" ending fell extremely flat and I just felt distant from it.
**no spoilers**
Unfortunately, this book fell really flat for me. I have been reading a lot of fantasy recently, and decided to pick up a contemporary to start my year. I was really interested in the premise of "Four Weeks, Five People" and there seemed to be a lot of representation of different mental health issues, which I was excited to read about!
Throughout the entire book, I felt as if the characters were clouded and I was unable to fully get to know them. This book is mainly character driven, which I am completely happy with; however, when the characters feel distant, this usually doesn't turn out well.
We follow five different characters throughout the story, but their "growth" felt extremely fast and not organic. The relationships between characters had little to no chemistry and I just did not care about any romance or friendships. I wish we followed one character through their experience at this mental health summer camp and were able to focus on one whole story, rather than five incomplete stories.
Also, because the book was so focused on characters, the "plot twist" ending fell extremely flat and I just felt distant from it.
emilygrafton8's review
4.0
I was so excited for this book to come out and to read it. I had such high hopes for it. and I wouldn’t say I was let down but it was not as good as I thought. I’m not sure if it’s bc of the timing of reading or if I just can’t vibe with it. however, it wasn’t my favorite book ever. I really did enjoy the characters and everything they brought to the table. I liked how different their perspectives were. I think Stella was my favorite just bc of how real she felt and I loved her voice. I also liked Andrew bc I struggled with my weight and eating. and although my issues were not the same nor the seriousness of his. I liked seeing his how real he was as well and it really hit home with me. the other 3 characters I enjoyed and I like the relationship between Clarissa and Ben. overall this book wasn’t my favorite but I enjoyed it