Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso

2 reviews

nicoleisalwaysreading's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • 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

3.25

written in vignettes, spaced in a way that mirrors memories, I suppose. not linked in an obvious way other than the way life strings events along like pearls.
inherently gross, in all the meanings of that word: very obviously wrong, very unpleasant, repulsive. there is life and decay/hurt and joy wound up together tightly in this novel. it’s written poignantly and pays attention to details in a special way.

Ruthie is sharpened by the sharp world around here. a difficult read with explicit and implicit descriptions of sexual abuse - both sinister and destructive to Ruthie and her friends and family. anything about her mother made me extremely uncomfortable, almost to the point of giving up on this book.

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zwin's review

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dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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