Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O'Neill

4 reviews

noel_k's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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

4.0

It is a book one must give 4 stars because it is a beautifully grotesque atrocity, reminiscent of Nabokov. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Abortion, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Murder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Toxic relationship

navitalks's review

dark inspiring mysterious tense fast-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

This is the best book I’ve read in the last few years. The writing is incredible and the story is never to be expected. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Death, Abortion, Cursing, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic friendship

mmayern's review

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Abortion, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Death of parent, Classism, Animal death, Toxic friendship, Death, Rape, Violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Homophobia, Gun violence, Sexism, and Misogyny

oliviasbookshop's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

So glad I got to read this novel ahead of its release in February 2022! It is classic O’Neill — filled with unexpected metaphors, magic realism, and unique phrasing you won’t find in any other novel. I enjoyed the historical setting, which is unlike any of her previous works. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Toxic relationship