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juno_enb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
alexdayhey's review
I found the man that this book gravitated around so infuriating that I just couldn't do it anymore. I know he was supposed to be deeply problematic, but I found myself wanting to scream at every other character in the book "this man is so bloody average and you're better than this".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Domestic abuse
partly_stars's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It's an alright book. It falls into the "middle class families being toxuc and horrible toe ach other" genre and condenses it into 2 days with some flashbacks.
Most of the chracters are just sketched out. A lot of is left vague. The narration focuses on the subjective emotions of the chracters which works for the story but leaves me with a lack of details to make them memorable. I finishedbthe book and I'm still not sure what Martyn'd and Leah's deal is for example (and why tf was Martyn following Patrick at the end).
The nove tries to sketc out a troubled family with the mentally abusive narcissistic slef absorbed father/husband Ray in the centre. What it did well is making me genuinely feeling angry and frustrated with him (and also Martyn). Shoeing how he is a shadow looming over all of their lives and how years of sremingly small comments add up to messed up life. Like a death by a thousand papercuts.
Most characters are hard to like and I wish their inner lives were mote expanded upon, especially since the novel changes perspectives multiple times.
All in all, it will probably be a pretty forgetabble book to my disappointment. I hoped for a more in depth portrayal of a broken family but it was mostly one note.
Most of the chracters are just sketched out. A lot of is left vague. The narration focuses on the subjective emotions of the chracters which works for the story but leaves me with a lack of details to make them memorable. I finishedbthe book and I'm still not sure what Martyn'd and Leah's deal is for example (and why tf was Martyn following Patrick at the end).
The nove tries to sketc out a troubled family with the mentally abusive narcissistic slef absorbed father/husband Ray in the centre. What it did well is making me genuinely feeling angry and frustrated with him (and also Martyn). Shoeing how he is a shadow looming over all of their lives and how years of sremingly small comments add up to messed up life. Like a death by a thousand papercuts.
Most characters are hard to like and I wish their inner lives were mote expanded upon, especially since the novel changes perspectives multiple times.
All in all, it will probably be a pretty forgetabble book to my disappointment. I hoped for a more in depth portrayal of a broken family but it was mostly one note.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Blood and Pregnancy
Minor: Eating disorder and Self harm
sandysmith's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A dysfunctional family. Centred around Ray, who is thoroughly unlikeable, and his relationships with his wife Lucia and children Leah, Jess, and Patrick. Ray and Lucia are artists. Lucia had cancer, and whilst she was ill, Ray had an affair. Lucia navigates around Ray, pacifying him and trying to protect her children, turning down her own opportunities. Whilst the book was well written, I could not find the characters likeable, especially Ray. I'm not sure of the ending. Lucia own lesbian affair seemed only there to shock the reader, and that was disappointing to feel that. I feel very strongly about LGBTQ + issue, so I felt that was lazy. I didn't enjoy this book much, sorry .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
madamelacy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.25
A narcissistic ‘artist’ gaslights his wife, Lucia, an artist in her own right, and his children. I didn’t like the plethora of half-finished sentences in the dialogue because they spoilt the flow a bit for me. I found Lucia so frustrating because I just wanted her to strike out on her own. I think her reactions were credible though, after years of being demeaned and bullied.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse and Mental illness
Minor: Violence, Cancer, and Abortion
beriboo's review
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a story about a dysfunctional family, Mum, Dad and three adult children (plus a boyfriend) over the course of one weekend. Ray (dad) is an artist and a horrible narcissist who is putting on an exhibition for the first time in years. His wife, Lucia, is timid and has been emotionally abused by Ray for decades, she is carrying some secrets with her though, hoping Ray won’t find out. Their eldest daughter Leah is obsessed with her father, the youngest Jess seems to hate everyone including her boyfriend Martin. And the brother Patrick is trying to recover from a nervous breakdown but is used by Ray and floats on the outskirts of the family.
This is a strange one. None of the characters are likeable, some you pity, others you will despise. Still, I could not put this book down, I wanted to see what happened between them. Would anyone get their just deserts? Would there be some resolution.?
Throughout the story are little hints of a secret or something to come that just keeps you hooked right to the end.
This is a strange one. None of the characters are likeable, some you pity, others you will despise. Still, I could not put this book down, I wanted to see what happened between them. Would anyone get their just deserts? Would there be some resolution.?
Throughout the story are little hints of a secret or something to come that just keeps you hooked right to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Cancer
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Abortion, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
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