Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

36 reviews

sarah984's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book is about a nurse working in a makeshift maternity ward in Ireland during the Spanish flu pandemic. The medicine parts of it were interesting (though not for the faint-hearted) and I liked most of the characters, though there are a few that I wish had gotten a bit more screen time. A lot of social issues in Ireland at the time are brought up and discussed in a way that mostly feels organic. 

The last third was just too much for me though, way too soap opera-ish for me with all the romance and drama crammed into two days. After the weight of the rest of the book it felt kind of silly.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, and Vomit

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug use, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexism, Suicide, and Trafficking

camillessi's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Grief, Death, and Child death

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Domestic abuse

j_sherrill's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Excrement, Grief, Medical trauma, Medical content, and Miscarriage

marieketron's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I listened to the audiobook for this and the narrator had a great voice and rhythm, but there were two moments I noted where she very suddenly increased in volume which gave me a small jump scare. The story on covers three days, which I didn’t realise at the start and is probably why the ending felt a bit sudden to me. The characters all are distinct and reflect a variety of backgrounds. I could really relate with the main character second guessing herself as she is left in a position of responsibility and authority. She is occasionally overwhelmed but often managed to rally. I’m not sure if I wish we had more of her approach in the current pandemic, but she does bring a human touch. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Medical content

Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Gore

Minor: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Vomit

tashab's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, and Vomit

phoxyphoenix's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Religious bigotry, and Terminal illness

Minor: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Vomit