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kelnicash'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness and Injury/Injury detail
kate_kathleen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief and Terminal illness
economydreams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction
studydniowka's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Chronic illness
samburkhouse's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Excrement
abbie_'s review against another edition
3.5
I'm a fan of Broder's work, and Death Valley is another surreal offering to her repertoire. This one draws a *lot* from Broder's own experience. The main character is an author who is a long-term caregiver for her husband, whose father has just suffered a terrible car accident and is in ICU. All of these things are true for Broder as well, and it's clear from the book that writing this was an incredibly cathartic experience for her.
However, I did see another reviewer (I'm sorry, I forget who!!) point out that this whole book is the MC/author grappling with how *they* feel about their caregiver roles, which sort of makes the people she's caring for seem like a burden. I have no experience being a caregiver but I'm 100% sure it is difficult, but something about this just kept niggling at me the whole way through. Like on the one hand she is entitled to her thoughts and her mental health is valid, but also it came off a touch... selfish?
That being said, it's a compulsive and unique read for sure. Long story short - woman checks into a Best Western for a mental health break, ends up climbing inside a cactus and getting lost in the desert. Lots of reflections and epiphanies along the way, with a nice little dose of humour.
Overall, I would recommend it if you like your storytelling a little surreal and a lot meta!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content
kelleykamanda's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Medical content
Minor: Blood and Vomit
alexisgarcia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Chronic illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Terminal illness, and Death
bootsmom3's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Blood, and Excrement
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Car accident