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Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
I liked the switch to first person narrative for Eleanor - it was like a jolt when she was introduced that mixed up the story, and it also helped to differentiate her from the other characters who were already a part of Cleo/Frank’s lives at the beginning of the book. It also read more like diary entries which felt in touch with her character. It also made her feel more grounded than the other characters.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Transphobia
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship
I found the first half of this quite slow and difficult to relate to the characters. The majority of them would make impulsive and detrimental decisions. As they learnt through these mistakes, I found the pace a little quicker and easier to read through.
The turning point that kept me going with this book was the introduction of Eleanor and Santiago. I felt the constant narration for Cleo and Frank just led me feeling no further in the narrative as I had for a previous chapter. Eleanor and Santiago had this drive, this light, to the pages that made me realise that these fractured characters had some chance at redemption. The novel as a whole felt like a sullied mix of greys, blues and greens showcasing the grief and worrying spills of a failing marriage. Characters like Eleanor and Santiago were imperative catalysts to the novel that cut through these murky tones. I would've given up reading if they hadn't been added to the story.
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Violence