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kers_tin's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Animal death, Self harm, Abortion, Death, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Suicide
booksandmo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Abortion, and Child death
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.5
I loved Eddy, Eddy when I read it and the more I think back on it the more I love it. It’s set in the town in which I live a couple of years after a series of devastating earthquakes. Eddy is 19 and has lived with his uncle since he was young. He left school early under something of a cloud and now works at a supermarket and is slowly growing a dog walking/pet care business. It’s a story peopled by quirky characters, which can be a bit hit or miss for me. Here it worked and I loved the warmth, the sense of community and found family which developed over the course of the story. The depiction of Christchurch, particularly the aftermath of the quakes and their lasting impact on the people who live here, was spot on. Such a treat to read a book and know all the places that are being referred to. It adds an extra layer to the reading experience. What struck me most about this novel - and my appreciation for this has only grown-is the clever way De Goldi structured the book slowly revealing, layer by layer, the full story of Eddy and why his life is currently the way it is. It didn’t feel manipulative at all, and each reveal felt like being gifted a small treasure, a deeper understanding.
I wouldn’t call this a Christmas story per se, but it is set from September through to January and Christmas celebrations play an important role in the plot. Apparently it is loosely based on A Christmas Carol, but I must confess to not spotting that as I read.
If you want loveable, quirky characters, wonderfully warm relationships, a cleverly structured plot, are willing to risk some heartbreak - but not unbearable bleakness, and want a Christmas story with some emotional heft, then I heartily recommend Eddy, Eddy. Just two cautions. One is to expect a bit of a vocabulary workout. The book is readable, not dense, but it includes many less common words, some of which had be heading for the dictionary. The other relates to religious content. There are a couple of religious characters and some discussion of religion, but it is in more of a philosophical rather than preachy way. I’m not religious and have a low tolerance for religious content. This book didn’t trouble me at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Abortion
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