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Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit
The prologue for Our Little Cruelties (also called Little Cruelties) opens with the funeral of one of three brothers – we know he died suddenly and violently, but it is not revealed which brother is in the casket, or any circumstances surrounding his death, or what led up to it. We then follow this very dysfunctional family from the boys troubled childhood and teen years through to their successes, failures, relationships, alcoholism, physical illness, mental health struggles as adults, and most prevalent of all, their destructive, repulsive behaviour.
The first chunk of chapters were from the eldest brother William’s point of view, followed by youngest brother Luke and finally middle brother Brian. Within these POV’s the narrative bounced around in time between the 1970’s and 2010’s each chapter a window into an important memory that defined their life. For example you could be in 1978 one chapter, 2008 the next, then 1984.
These characters were parasites, predators – using, abusing, and infecting everyone they came into contact with. I was slightly sympathetic towards one of the brothers, but no one in this novel was likeable or redeemable, nor was I rooting for anyone. Did the brothers receive their comeuppance by the end? You’ll need to read to find out. I should also mention that unlike Liz Nugent’s other novels this read more like a contemporary family drama/saga rather than a thriller. Which is why it surprised me how much I enjoyed/was immersed in this one, and was always eager to get back to it, and thought about these despicable characters when I wasn’t reading. In fact I think Our Little Crueltiesand Skin Deep are my top favourites now that I’ve read all of Liz Nugent’s books, and I’m very excited for whatever she releases next, which I hope is soon.
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child death, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Self harm, Abortion, Pregnancy
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Eating disorder, Rape, Terminal illness, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy