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hattie05's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
i found it quite hard to get a grasp of this book, i think the moral of the book was interesting but for me the storyline was all over the place i couldn’t quite understand it at points. It was sad when i realised that she didn’t plan on dying but to save her family in a way but still the fate she chose did in a way fix her family. But to be honest it was quite a hard book to get going as for why i took a break in between reading it. I did find the history and the backgrounds of the story and characters interesting and the book was also interesting don’t get me wrong, i found it interesting how all parts of the past and present their lives all had an effect on her death and i found it relatable how she had all the pressure of her parents expectations on her i think that was quite deep.
selsi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jadior's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
nujibuji's review against another edition
3.0
At times it felt very stereotypically written. But then again, stereotypes do come from somewhere. The story itself needed to be told. It was a complex meshwork of characters, which is very hard to accomplish successfully -- and for that I applaud Celeste Ng.
adelriesgo's review against another edition
2.0
Overall I had lots of feels about this book. There were so many situations that could’ve been diffused by conversation and then it didn’t happen so as a reader I was just frustrated. I realize this isn’t meant to be a “happy story” but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Like If this was a murder mystery that focused on the ins and outs of Lydia‘s disappearance and later death I think I would be a lot more interested. The set up was great with the Foreshadowing about the lake… but then it just turned. I felt so bad for Hannah and Nathan. I also called Jack liking Nathe from their first interaction lmao. My favorite part was just fancasting the book as if it was a mini-series.
Thoughts while reading:
- Ew I don’t like that James thinks his TA looks like his daughter and yet there’s like tension between them ew
- IF NATHANS SISTER WAS FUCKING MISSING AND HE REFUSES TO BRINGNUP JACKCWHO MAY BE A PRIME SISPECT YOU STUPID STUPID BOY
- What the actual fuck is James doing? You’re gonna fuck a student when your daughter just died and your wife is grieving at home? FUCK YOU UGH he gives me such Nick vibes from gone girl
- The whole pool situation… like if you see your son being bullied and you don’t go step in even to be like “Nathe get out of the pool Lydia called and she needs us to go get her NOW.” Like fucking make up an excuse to get your child out of that situation
- I get that the mom wanted a new life because she felt unfulfilled but leaving your children without even thinking about like consulting your husband first like “hey I want to go to med school so I’m doing it are you going to support me or not” like whatttt this could be avoided with communication 😭
- Lydia just wanted friends and to be noticed so when Jack have her that ofc she was gonna cling to him…
- The flashback flash to present I feel like there needs to be more of a distinction because sometimes I’m so confused. I have no idea when events are. Occurring
- The clerk just giving Nathe under age alch 😭
awesomebrandi's review against another edition
3.0
I dunno how I feel. Writing style is nice enough, but this is mostly a miserably depressing book. This book starts with a book about death and then jumps back and forth with the history of how the family life led up to it. I didn’t really build any connection with the characters, either. A little heavy handed in a couple of places. I am not really enthusiastic at the idea of reading more by this author.
danoreading's review against another edition
5.0
Really just as lovely as everyone has said - sad, quiet, and compelling.
kitkatkatme's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nins7's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75