Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Sunset by Jessie Cave

7 reviews

abbruzzese's review

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I wish I had stayed up for longer. I wish I had watched her sleeping, I wish we’d had one more chat about nothing or one more episode. I wish I had known. 

Holy fuck. I don't think I've ever gotten so worked up, so snotty-nosed, over a book. I was in tears—big, fat, shaking sobs—for most of it. This is so well done, I loved it. But I will never read it again because it hurts too much. 

The time jumps were a bit confusing in the beginning, but I wouldn't have wanted it any different. I can't imagine a book about grief organized in a linear, chronological way, as if grief gives a shit about the concept of forward progress or moving on. Ruth's grief is written so honestly—ugly thoughts and bad actions included—that it is physically painful to imagine being her. The writing is simple and relatable, which hurts more as it's so easy to see myself in the story. IMO, Jessie Cave writes similarly to Sally Rooney, but Cave's writing is a million times more tolerable.

I don’t want to get in the car, I can’t leave my sister. But the driver opens the car door and suddenly, I am. I’m leaving her.

I wonder what this book feels like to people without siblings. As someone with two sisters, both younger than me—the Ruths to my Hannah—this book tore me apart. I loved my sisters before I started reading, and I love them now that I've finished, but it's different. Something about being reminded that one day I will lose them hurts so badly and in such a way that the fact that they're still alive and well doesn't fix the ache in me.

Brooke, Eden—I love you.  

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lilycollings's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.0


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acosyreader's review

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • 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? Yes

4.0


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crappyendings's review

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emotional hopeful sad fast-paced
  • 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

This book came with me to pee, shower and walk the dog. I did not put this book down. 

When it finished I had to snap back to reality because it was described in such vivid detail. 

It is accurate in the messy, tumultuous and non-linear nature of devastating loss. A truly heartbreaking book but absolutely beautiful at the same time. 

I was surprised at how little mention there is of this book online as it was so naturally captivating. 

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bethnash's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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sib_reads's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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jamieleepilk's review

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Thank you so much to Welbeck Publishing UK for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

"Some days I look at the clouds and think I see her. I almost believe in otherworldly things. I look at the sky and I can acknowledge it's beauty - it is clear blue, the clouds looks puffy and edible. I begin to entertain thoughts of impossible things, feel the astounding endlessness of the universe. Despite this, I believe that there is nothing afterwards - it's final. You die and you're done."

This book was nothing like what I expected.
It's a book that is at times extremely difficult to read with it's unflinchingly honest and raw look at grief that comes with loosing somebody who was your whole world. Saying that sparks of Jessie's beautiful sense of humour shone through. Ruth was a brilliant character who you couldn't help but fall in love with and connect with. I loved some of Ruth's/Jessie's observations about life. It's written so well and in a way that is extremely gripping, some passages are written so beautifully that it takes your breath away.

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