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moriahleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape, Medical content, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Car accident
edilund's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Medical trauma, Dementia, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse
seeceeread's review
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
I tell her it's because she's not dead yet."
𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵. I wept, great gulping sobs. And immediately cracked the pages again.
"Y'all wanna see a dead body?" Twitter meme literature—haunting, grotesque, piquant, cruel, lyrical. Lia is dying. What a gorgeous undoing.
What is death? Our mothers tell us we don't belong to each other. Youthful love soured into violence. Daughters give us permission. Cells rapidly repeat replication, rabid, ravenous, (w)reaking
reeking.
𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁. A chorus is alive. What an orchestra of becoming.
How does Lia live? For sanctuary, a bright spot of human creation (art) at the edge of a garden—a father, a husband. A testament, a witness to absurdity—a lover, a mother. In moments of others' kindness, ingenuity, audacity—a daughter, a friend. By companionship.
Mortimer strings a life, tugs each marvel, chants mysteries—joyful, sorrowful, glorious and luminous. We are yellow: sunshine, jaundice, congealed fat, -bellied. We gasp blue: gelid, bruised, melancholy, inopportune. We sink red: flayed, bursting, rageful.
I'm not sure anything could have prepared me for this exquisite tenderness and hurt. I'm not sure I will ever be ready to read it again. I am moved. Wowed.
💭 "The moment a life tilts on its axis: / you feel everything you knew about fight and hope and justice just / slide right off and out of you."
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Death
rowanhill's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Despite her turbulent past, children’s book author and illustrator Lia has finally found stability and happiness with her husband Harry and daughter Iris. However, this small slice of peace and happiness is once again thrown into turmoil when Lia finds out her cancer has returned. As Lia’s body is torn apart by both treatment and disease, the pieces of her past that have shaped her present are uncovered and reframed in both body and mind. Meanwhile, Harry and Iris must navigate their own challenges and the reality of life moving forward despite this sudden shift in their lives.
I received this novel through a giveaway and was completely blown away! I expected a heartfelt novel about a person’s struggle with cancer and how it affects their family; but I got so much more. Though cancer plays a big role, this book is truly an honest and intimate reflection on the many ways our experiences shape our bodies, minds, and relationships. Despite its poetic form, the book does not hit you over the head with lofty ideas but elegantly builds understanding through each character’s personal journey. The depth and complexity of human experience that this story is able to capture is remarkable and truly sets it apart.
I personally gave this book 5 stars, but there are still some elements that I think make this a book you will either love or simply not resonate with. Though not strictly a ‘novel in verse’, Mortimer tells this story through a variety of poetic forms and frequently utilizes non-traditional formatting. As such, the storytelling is not as straightforward as some readers prefer. The writing also has a ‘wandering’ feel and tends to shift perspective and time without warning. Though I personally liked the artistic effect of it, I can also see some readers feeling lost and/or confused. Additionally, this novel is slow moving and on the slightly longer side which could lead to some fatigue with the writing.
Ultimately, I think this book is best suited to readers who are willing to set aside expectations and go with the flow; let the experience unfold. One thing I can say for certain is that I would not try the audiobook on its own. Mortimer frequently creates visuals with her formatting that add to the overall experience of the story. I feel that a lot of the true art that sets this story apart simply won’t be captured in a purely auditory experience.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Addiction, Self harm, Car accident, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Physical abuse