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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I have been thinking about the characters in this book a lot, even when I wasn't reading it, especially Clara. Izzy's story was also compelling and I liked the dual storylines, wondering the entire time how they would come together. I found a few typos and some parts of the story seemed sloppy; some loose ends weren't tied up and some events didn't seem necessary, but other parts had me turning pages as quickly as I could to find out what would happen.
Both storylines are heartbreaking. Clara's offers a look into the cruel mishandling of "mentally ill" people in the not so distant past, whereas Izzy's contemporary story line is a bit muddled and doesn't really come together until later. It's definitely the weaker story line, but the tie into Clara's life later on helped it come full circle. I would give the book 3.5 stars, but leaned towards 4 because of it's compelling Clara storyline.
Both storylines are heartbreaking. Clara's offers a look into the cruel mishandling of "mentally ill" people in the not so distant past, whereas Izzy's contemporary story line is a bit muddled and doesn't really come together until later. It's definitely the weaker story line, but the tie into Clara's life later on helped it come full circle. I would give the book 3.5 stars, but leaned towards 4 because of it's compelling Clara storyline.
Ok I finished the book. have to say up to chapter 14, I really didn't care much for the story. Clara annoyed me for some reason. After chapter 14 though, things picked up an got more interesting. I enjoyed it much more. I do have to wonder about how things went for Izzy though during the last 2 weeks that take place in the book... at school I mean.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I guess the purpose of a good author is to try to make the reader so engrossed in the novel that they forget they are actually reading a novel. The parts of this novel that told Clara's story were so heartbreaking and emotional that sometimes I almost cried for her and had to remind myself that she was just a character and this was just fiction. Izzy's parts of the novel were enjoyable to read and felt a little like YA but they were necessary to complete Clara's story. This is by far one of the best books I have read in a long time and it deserves every bit of it's 5 stars. This is the first novel that I have read by this author but her talent for making the story seem so real and making us feel so much for the characters have prompted me to seek out her other novel to read. I have always been fascinated with old time asylums and that part of it was very interesting. Back in the 1920's and 1930's it seems that a woman could be institutionalized for just about anything and the treatment of the patients was awful. I highly recommend this novel.
Fast read. Interesting story-line, but it became a little too unbelievable about three fourths of the way in.
Clara's story was more compelling and Izzy's but the interplay between the past and present time lines was interesting.
Fantastic book - couldn't put it down. I was so intrigued by both stories and the author did a fantastic job with character development. It was heart wrenching and heartbreaking, but with a feel good ending.
I agree with the author that the topic she chose to write about is fascinating. I just wish the book was executed in a less predictable manner. The ending was especially cheesy.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy