Scan barcode
seyfert's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First, it is written in verse. While perfect for this situation, if you don't read verse often, it might take a bit for your brain to adjust to reading it. This is something that can be overcome.
But for the second? So many trigger warnings. Many of us need to be in the right headspace to read this novel. Those of you who haven't ever experienced depression and dark thoughts, you'll be fine, but this touches so close to some very sensitive, hard subjects. It'd be hard to read when in the depression pit, and yet, it's exactly who the novel is written for - but once you're in a better mental state.
More than anything, it's very quotable. There's so many small tidbits to save to later. It's unique, and different, and understanding - and we need more of that.
(But it did introduce me to the poetry of Lucille Clifton, and I am excited for that).
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Bullying
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Child death
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm, Bullying, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racial slurs
bookish_ann's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I normally have a very hard time reading long-form poetry, but not here. Perhaps because the verse is free, and flowing. It feels natural and right, not forced. It does not feel like an affectation layered onto the story but the most fitting way to tell it.
There were a few moments in this that literally took my breath away - I just gasped and sat with the phrase for a bit. It’s a truly stunning book. Highly recommended.
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
leahrosereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I would. I knew when I read Me (Moth) in 2021 that Amber Mcbride's storytelling is something special.
This story solidifies that thought.
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Racism, Bullying, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death
amobrien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
We Are All So Good at Smiling is a beautiful, magical novel-in-verse about depression and trauma. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook!
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Racism, and Suicide
Moderate: Self harm, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racial slurs
Minor: Bullying and Child death
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, Bullying, and Death
readingwithtrey's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"There is someone out there rooting for you. You are not alone, in any Forest. You there, hello, bonjour, hola-we are rooting, cheering for you to live and thrive."
Written through metaphorical prose, this story follows Faerry and Whimsy through their struggles with depression and what appears to be PTSD following a traumatic event. It is so hard to find the right words for this review. This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. I loved the message of the only way out is through. One thing that I've learned in therapy is to not try to avoid the negative feelings, but to rather allow myself to feel them, use my coping skills to work through them, and then work to move on from them. The more I would try to avoid negative feelings and thoughts, the worse things got and I could appreciate how that was addressed throughout this book.
As someone who has suffered from depression, PPD, and PPA, it was like someone took exactly what I went through while in the thick of it and put it in poem form. Just like the author, it took me a while to get the help and therapy I needed. For some, myself included, you get so far into that dark pit that it's almost impossible to see how anything or anyone can help to get you out of it. Whimsy says that 11 minutes in the Garden (depression) could feel like 11 years and man, that is so true. I don't think this could have been any more perfect.
I love that more and more authors are writing novels normalizing therapy, especially for the Black community. It warms my heart to think that so many lives will likely be saved due to the decreasing stigma around seeking help.
I cannot recommend this enough!
CW: depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, death, child death, ptsd
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Minor: Child death, Death, Racial slurs, and Bullying