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thuglibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Author Heather Chaplin holds back nothing in this stunning memoir. She recounts the ugly dissolution of her marriage and how she attempted to reinvent herself as a single woman, often to destructive results. This is a raw, vulnerable look into how marriages fail and the emotional baggage that weighs us down. This is destined to be an instant classic.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
jaclynday's review against another edition
5.0
Singlehandedly redefines the art of memoir writing. Reading it made my insides feel like tenderized meat. Chaplin's vulnerability and pain pulses off every page with excruciating (and strangely beautiful) clarity.
jaclynday's review
5.0
Singlehandedly redefines the art of memoir writing. Reading it made my insides feel like tenderized meat. Chaplin's vulnerability and pain pulses off every page with excruciating (and strangely beautiful) clarity.
purlscout's review
2.0
I found myself wanting to reach through the book and punch the author in the face. a lot. then I realized how mentally ill she was and found a little empathy. a little. but, ugh...the conceit and self-destruction craft quite the icky little lady.
misscbingley's review
This book... did not go in the direction I expected. It reminded me of reading a work of fiction with an unreliable narrator. Other reviewers have described the experience of reading what is essentially Chaplin's diary during a chaotic, rather bizarre time in her life, as "intense" and "like watching a train wreck," and I would definitely agree. She's honest to a painful, embarrassing degree--but not always self-aware. I kept wishing there were a chapter written by an outsider, to explain what they thought of her behavior during this point in time. In a brief youtube video, Chaplin says of herself, "When I look back now, I think I must've been the most maddening person in the world," and that seems fairly accurate.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Nbvwq2I_4)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Nbvwq2I_4)
amandanan's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I’m a curious (nosy) person by nature, so reading someone’s journal is a no-brainer Nan read. I appreciate how much she describes her mental illness, want to punch the Irishman in the face, and above all, feed her a goddamn sandwich.
petra_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Based on notebooks she kept between April 2006 and July 2008, Journalist [a:Heather Chaplin|38625|Heather Chaplin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] chronicles this period of her life in an impressively open and brutal manner. Having felt trapped in a frustrating marriage for over ten years, she finally decides enough is enough and forces a separation from her husband whom she resents deeply by now. Setting out on a journey of self-discovery which also takes her to Dublin, she re-invents herself as a free and single person, falls for an Irishman, and discovers a lot about love, relationships, memories, gardening, and the value of friendships, amongst other things. As her free-spirited life spirals increasingly out of control, darkness and depression set in and she has to face up to some uncomfortable truths.
At times, this made me laugh out loud. At times, it made me cringe. At times, it was very sad and emotional. Being inside the mind of a woman who became increasingly out of control and was suffering, was a very intense reading experience. A very brave and unique memoir that I would definitely recommend.
Contains strong language and sexual content.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
At times, this made me laugh out loud. At times, it made me cringe. At times, it was very sad and emotional. Being inside the mind of a woman who became increasingly out of control and was suffering, was a very intense reading experience. A very brave and unique memoir that I would definitely recommend.
Contains strong language and sexual content.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.
allyssascott's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not going to beat around the bush with this review, this was hands down the best memoir I’ve ever read. From the very first pages I was hooked on Heather Chaplins’ story. I continued to devour this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t bring myself to look away.
As compelling as her story is, her writing style is what I couldn’t get enough of. She was so descriptive with the background, that you felt as though you could have been there with her. Instead of reading this book, it felt like she was siting there with you, telling you her story in person. While releasing a novel is such a public way of sharing a story, while reading it, it felt so personal. This is the kind of memoir that makes you stop and think, it causes you to reflect on your personal experiences. I don’t want to give any details away on what happens in her story, because honestly I don’t think anyone other than Chaplin can do it justice. It’s brutally honest, it evokes almost every emotion from you. It has humour and it’s a little dark too.
I found that after reading her story I was still left with many questions, but mostly it left me with a feeling of hope. I think this is the type of story that a lot of people can relate to in one way or another, and maybe make them feel a little less alone. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has ever felt a little lost.
As compelling as her story is, her writing style is what I couldn’t get enough of. She was so descriptive with the background, that you felt as though you could have been there with her. Instead of reading this book, it felt like she was siting there with you, telling you her story in person. While releasing a novel is such a public way of sharing a story, while reading it, it felt so personal. This is the kind of memoir that makes you stop and think, it causes you to reflect on your personal experiences. I don’t want to give any details away on what happens in her story, because honestly I don’t think anyone other than Chaplin can do it justice. It’s brutally honest, it evokes almost every emotion from you. It has humour and it’s a little dark too.
I found that after reading her story I was still left with many questions, but mostly it left me with a feeling of hope. I think this is the type of story that a lot of people can relate to in one way or another, and maybe make them feel a little less alone. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has ever felt a little lost.
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