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rhifallows's review
4.0
It feels weird to say that I enjoyed this book given the fact the subject matter within it is so bleak, but I really did enjoy this book.
Ana is a fictional tale but it is based on a true story, which makes it all the more harrowing in my opinion. We follow Ana as she makes her way through a difficult childhood into an equally difficult adulthood. Poor Ana didn’t have a great deal of positivity happening in her life! With that in mind there are many trigger warnings attached to this: abuse, rape, addiction, miscarriage and probably more that I forgot to note down.
The story is told almost as a memoir, looking back on her life events with the benefit of hindsight and her now spiritual outlook - the spiritual side of things only comes into the book right at the very end but there are little comments on it peppered throughout the book and it also means that the story is told in a very to the point manner, no self indulgence or wallowing.
While reading this I was almost imagining that I was reading from the perspective of Agnes (Shuggie Bain’s mother). She was a character I really struggled with in Shuggie but because of the way the character was written in this book I found myself feeling a lot more empathy towards Ana than I did towards Agnes. She was a mighty flawed character and had good reason to be the way she was, but she shows grit and determination that really had me rooting for her!
The last little section of the book was the more spiritual element, which I understand was important to the way the story was told, however I did feel this bit to be a tiny bit rushed in comparison to the rest of the book and I could have read more about this part of her journey.
A very interesting story that I somehow found very easy to read despite the subject matter being so dark.
Ana is a fictional tale but it is based on a true story, which makes it all the more harrowing in my opinion. We follow Ana as she makes her way through a difficult childhood into an equally difficult adulthood. Poor Ana didn’t have a great deal of positivity happening in her life! With that in mind there are many trigger warnings attached to this: abuse, rape, addiction, miscarriage and probably more that I forgot to note down.
The story is told almost as a memoir, looking back on her life events with the benefit of hindsight and her now spiritual outlook - the spiritual side of things only comes into the book right at the very end but there are little comments on it peppered throughout the book and it also means that the story is told in a very to the point manner, no self indulgence or wallowing.
While reading this I was almost imagining that I was reading from the perspective of Agnes (Shuggie Bain’s mother). She was a character I really struggled with in Shuggie but because of the way the character was written in this book I found myself feeling a lot more empathy towards Ana than I did towards Agnes. She was a mighty flawed character and had good reason to be the way she was, but she shows grit and determination that really had me rooting for her!
The last little section of the book was the more spiritual element, which I understand was important to the way the story was told, however I did feel this bit to be a tiny bit rushed in comparison to the rest of the book and I could have read more about this part of her journey.
A very interesting story that I somehow found very easy to read despite the subject matter being so dark.
hanxiety_in_pink's review
3.0
I wasn’t sure what to expect from it as the cover and blurb doesn’t give much away. The life-story of an ‘incredible woman’, shared with the author by Ana and in turn shared with the world by Joanne.
It seems almost uncomfortable to say that I liked this book, the struggles which Ana faced through her life were really dark and, reminding myself that this was a real person, there were moments where I just felt such pain on her behalf... but I couldn’t stop reading it! She was such a captivating and strong woman, with such an interesting story, with each chapter that I read I wanted to know what happened in the next chapter of Ana’s life.
I wouldn’t say the writing particularly excited me, a simple first person narrative of the events in Ana’s life, but her story and strength balanced that out.
I particularly resonated with her journey in motherhood and every emotion that comes with it, crippling fear, searing pain, overwhelming love and just plain awe. I also enjoyed the spiritual aspects of the book, whilst I’m not religious in the slightest I do consider myself a very spiritual person and was fascinated by stories of Arcadia, tarot readings and numerology. I would have loved to have read more of that side of her life.
I’m a massive believer in trying to see the good things that can come from darkness. Some of the things I’m most proud of about myself have come from facing the darkest moments of my life and in Ana I found a kindred spirit.
It seems almost uncomfortable to say that I liked this book, the struggles which Ana faced through her life were really dark and, reminding myself that this was a real person, there were moments where I just felt such pain on her behalf... but I couldn’t stop reading it! She was such a captivating and strong woman, with such an interesting story, with each chapter that I read I wanted to know what happened in the next chapter of Ana’s life.
I wouldn’t say the writing particularly excited me, a simple first person narrative of the events in Ana’s life, but her story and strength balanced that out.
I particularly resonated with her journey in motherhood and every emotion that comes with it, crippling fear, searing pain, overwhelming love and just plain awe. I also enjoyed the spiritual aspects of the book, whilst I’m not religious in the slightest I do consider myself a very spiritual person and was fascinated by stories of Arcadia, tarot readings and numerology. I would have loved to have read more of that side of her life.
I’m a massive believer in trying to see the good things that can come from darkness. Some of the things I’m most proud of about myself have come from facing the darkest moments of my life and in Ana I found a kindred spirit.
chronicreader96's review
4.0
Rounded up from around 3.5 stars ⭐️
Ana follows the difficult life of Anastasia, from her childhood through to middle-age.
Ana faces some harrowing and extremely dark times in her life, which are portrayed in a rich and detailed manner. This book is both extremely disturbing, heart-wrenching and awe inspiring. Ana and Joanne made me question my own personal assumptions and taught me so much. The pure honesty that is expressed in this book sent tingles down my spine. It is not easy to tell your truth and show it to the world.
Unfortunately for me there were times where I found my mind wandering, especially the last chapter which wasn’t really my cup of tea. Spirituality isn’t really my thing but this book taught me a lot. That being said, I found myself devouring the chapters surrounding dark parts of Ana’s life. They taught me so much and I was so engrossed in wanting to know what happened.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading interesting real-life stories. As a warning, there are some potential triggers in this book so please read with caution. I want to thank Joanne Louise Hardy and Insightful Publishing for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
Ana follows the difficult life of Anastasia, from her childhood through to middle-age.
Ana faces some harrowing and extremely dark times in her life, which are portrayed in a rich and detailed manner. This book is both extremely disturbing, heart-wrenching and awe inspiring. Ana and Joanne made me question my own personal assumptions and taught me so much. The pure honesty that is expressed in this book sent tingles down my spine. It is not easy to tell your truth and show it to the world.
Unfortunately for me there were times where I found my mind wandering, especially the last chapter which wasn’t really my cup of tea. Spirituality isn’t really my thing but this book taught me a lot. That being said, I found myself devouring the chapters surrounding dark parts of Ana’s life. They taught me so much and I was so engrossed in wanting to know what happened.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading interesting real-life stories. As a warning, there are some potential triggers in this book so please read with caution. I want to thank Joanne Louise Hardy and Insightful Publishing for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
bookellys's review
3.0
After hearing about ANA, a novel based on tragic and shocking true events, and the fact that the protagonist was from Nottingham (my home town) I felt compelled to read this book. Having flagging this as one of my most anticipate wishlist books, the author very kindly reached out and sent me a free copy of the eBook which I have really enjoyed reading.
In the book we follow Ana as she stumbles through life, trying her best but meeting some real hurdles and challenges along the way.
This felt a bit like a book of 2 parts for me - the first being the detailed recounting of the many events and situations that Ana found herself and got herself into. Some parts of the book are hard to read because you don’t want to imagine those things happening to a person, let alone the compounded impact of these all happening to one person. That said, this element of the book was a 4 star for me.
The second part (last third I’d say) was more of a spiritual enlightenment, but felt a little disconnected from the main life story which is why I settled on 3 stars overall. I was expecting there to be a bit more reflection, remorse, accountability, and recognition that she didn’t always help herself (though absolutely appreciate in many of the situations Ana was a victim) but it felt a bit rushed and squeezed into the more spiritual element towards the end.
I loved the little nods to Nottingham, and the inclusion of Skegness - I could picture it all so clearly from my own memories too! Overall this is a good read; I don’t want to say it’s enjoyable as it feels weird say I enjoyed reading about the horrible situations, but it’s a book that you can easily settle down with a slip through the pages. If you’ve got it sitting on your Kindle or bookshelf, it’s one to think about opening up next!
In the book we follow Ana as she stumbles through life, trying her best but meeting some real hurdles and challenges along the way.
This felt a bit like a book of 2 parts for me - the first being the detailed recounting of the many events and situations that Ana found herself and got herself into. Some parts of the book are hard to read because you don’t want to imagine those things happening to a person, let alone the compounded impact of these all happening to one person. That said, this element of the book was a 4 star for me.
The second part (last third I’d say) was more of a spiritual enlightenment, but felt a little disconnected from the main life story which is why I settled on 3 stars overall. I was expecting there to be a bit more reflection, remorse, accountability, and recognition that she didn’t always help herself (though absolutely appreciate in many of the situations Ana was a victim) but it felt a bit rushed and squeezed into the more spiritual element towards the end.
I loved the little nods to Nottingham, and the inclusion of Skegness - I could picture it all so clearly from my own memories too! Overall this is a good read; I don’t want to say it’s enjoyable as it feels weird say I enjoyed reading about the horrible situations, but it’s a book that you can easily settle down with a slip through the pages. If you’ve got it sitting on your Kindle or bookshelf, it’s one to think about opening up next!
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