Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron

5 reviews

evawhite's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, Animal death, and Eating disorder

Moderate: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Vomit, and Suicide attempt

vibingjaren's review

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I have read this book, a Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron two times, and it always makes me teary-eyed. The book's setting takes place sometime after 2014 in the United States. The protagonist is Buddy, who also goes by Molly, Max, and Toby at different points in the book. Buddy is a dog whose sole purpose is to protect and love his human, Ethan. Buddy thinks he has fulfilled his purpose as Ethan has passed on. However, when Buddy is reborn as Molly, he figures out he has a new purpose, to protect Ethan's granddaughter, CJ. 

This contemporary novel faces the challenges of growing up. It is also a story of loss, love, and acceptance. I would recommend reading this book with caution as it describes tough topics such as eating disorders, cancer, depression, and other triggering topics. W. Bruce Cameron handles these topics well, even from Molly's point of view. This book, I feel, accurately depicts what it's like to be struggling. While these topics may be hard to read, It's so important to learn about them.  It shows the healing process, as well as the fact that you aren't alone. CJ feels like at moments she only has Molly. However, she grows to realize her childhood best friend, Trent, has always been there for her. Trent, who has been madly in love with CJ since they were kids, just wants what's best for her.  

This book truly feels like it was written in the eyes of a dog. However, while it's a great book, it isn't without flaws. I felt like the end of the book was rushed. From the end of Max's life to Toby's, I noticed this. I feel like the ending came too fast. It honestly felt like I had started to read a different book. Regardless of its flaws, it's still a great book that I'd rate 5/5 stars. I'm not afraid to admit that as an animal lover, it made me cry. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Chronic illness, and Animal death

Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Body shaming, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Fatphobia, Dementia, Car accident, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Pedophilia

unicornrhyfedd's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Cancer, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

Minor: Body shaming, Car accident, Medical content, Stalking, and Chronic illness

sarithebookworm's review

adventurous challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Rape, and Suicide attempt

lolajh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ouch!!!!! The fucking dog having to die was somehow not the saddest part of this book. Once Ethan passes away, Buddy thinks his purpose is fulfilled, until he discovers he has a new purpose to protect Clarity, Ethan’s granddaughter. And holy FUCK is this one a rough one. CJ faces intense emotional abuse and neglect from her mother, who does cause CJ to develop an eating disorder through her language of shaming her daughter for eating and how her body looks. Now this eating disorder gets fucking bad, and watching CJ and Buddy go through it was just so fucking sad? And apart from just this, CJ also finds herself in a toxic relationship where she is stalked and emotionally abused by him  as well as her mother. And all because of this fucking dog, CJ continues to keep living and work through her issues and get herself out of them and eventually does find happiness and healthiness that do ultimately make this such a wonderful book. Buddy is the best and thinking from a dogs pov will always make me sad.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment