Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

18 reviews

mbmayo's review

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emotional hopeful reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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snipinfool's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

CW: Sexual assault of minor, mental illness, drug abuse, emotional abuse

Zoey arrived on Mallow Island the summer before she was due to move into her college dorm in nearby Charleston. Her mother died twelve years previously and left Zoey a condo at The Dellawhisp. She hoped to find some items there that would spark memories of her mother, as she had few items that belonged her. The Dellawhisp had five units. Two belonged to estranged sisters, one to a man who worked late nights, and one to a woman who was an artist. Three ghosts were also living there as well. The condos were run by an elderly man who had been working there since it had been renovated many years before. The residents knew little about each other despite most living there for a considerable number of years. Zoey didn't know anyone in the area so she made it a goal to try to get to know her neighbors and hopefully become friends. 

This was a heartwarming story about found family. Each of the residents was lonely, but for different reasons did not seek out those close by. Zoey became the one who brought them all together. Their life stories were interesting and varied. I love stories where people who are very different in background and experiences find a common thread and become close friends. It gives me hope that we can all find a connection with someone we thought to have nothing in common with. I will be keeping this story in my heart for a long time.

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fn2902's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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haileybones's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

There is a magical quality to Other Birds that adds to its sweetness -- and its sadness. I liked the story and characters and especially Mallow Island, but the handling of the characters felt a little off to me. They're all dealing with some element of loss, abuse, family, identity, and/or learning how to move through the world and, despite all their personal tragedy and reluctance to process it, they're very self-aware. I think that narrative choice serves the themes and fairy tale vibe of the story, but it comes at the price of some of the authenticity or subtlety or something. It still emotionally connects (I cried more than once), but it was because the author has a talent for profound sentences more than me feeling something for a character. I also noticed the two most prominent black characters fell into some racialized tropes, which made me a little uncomfortable.

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elizabeth_lepore's review

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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serendipitysbooks's review

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
Other Birds is a heartwarming story featuring found family and quirky characters moving on from the hurts and secrets of the past. It is set a small apartment building on the idyllic sounding Mallow Island, South Carolina. There’s magical realism in the form of ghosts, and the delightful dellawisps - enchanting magical little birds. There’s also a bit of a mystery. While the story touches on some heavy topics the overall tone is light and feel good, emphasising the power of connection.

“There are birds, and then there are other birds. Maybe they don’t sing. Maybe they don’t fly. Maybe they don’t fit in. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather be an other bird than just the same old thing.” 

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starrystarryeyed's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5


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turnip11's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book is wonderfully written, the author really brings you in to the story and the setting. The characters are all complex and they draw you in quickly. I loved the magical realism aspects, overall  this is one of my new favorite books. 

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