Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Jodi Picoult

26 reviews

ktinaisabel's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Death, and Bullying

Moderate: Alcoholism and Child abuse

Minor: Abortion

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

 I would like to preface this by saying that I kind of went into this book blind. The only thing I knew was what the synopsis told me (which I think was purposefully done by the authors) and I think depending on how open-minded you are, I think you should do the same. However, I would like to state that as an avid thriller reader, I don't think this should be marketed as a “thriller”, it's a light mystery at best. So if you’re expecting anything thriller-crazy, don’t. 

But anyway, I LOVED this book! It did take me a while to love it though. As I was reading in the beginning, I liked it but I didn’t love it, but it all came together soon enough. There are so many layers here and stories told that this book provides lots of depth. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was getting really attached to the characters and even teared up a couple of times hearing what they had to go through (especially one character in particular). And I love how multifaceted and flawed our main characters were; I feel like it humanized them in a way because with stories like this sometimes authors make the characters a little too perfect that it takes the authenticity of the story and the character.

The writing is sooooo good! I could literally feel the characters' emotions through the page. I LOVED this book so much and I personally was a big fan of how educational it was considering I knew nothing of what it would've been like to be in Lily's situation. 

The only qualms I have with this book is that I wasn't really into the "bee talk", but some metaphors did stick (no pun intended). Also, in regards to Lily and Asher's relationship (loved them, they were the type of toxic that you actually want to root for) and them "knowing each other so well"; I feel like we were TOLD that rather than shown. I would've loved a few scenes dedicated to them having innocent fun and listing things they had in common rather than just being told that they have this phenomenal connection.

Also, that scene that we get about Asher being okay with Lily being trans. I wish we could've gotten that reveal through Lily's flashback instead of Olivia's present perspective. Because in Lily's POV it shows him freaking out and storming out of her bedroom when he found out. I feel like it would've been more impactful if we got a dedicated scene in her perspective of him being okay with her being trans and loving for "who she was, not what she was".

  Also, another thing, I feel like the ending "twists" was so underwhelming. 

It being Maya to be the one that pushed her was so cliche and felt like a cop-out to me (I was hoping it would've been Dirk). And her not facing any repercussions for what she did piss me off because she literally killed someone and got away with it. The writing was so good in this book that I think I'm gonna cock it up them being in a rush and unsure how to end the book. It's a great book regardless,  but the ending twist was not it. The overall ending was good though.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Outing, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Child abuse, and Hate crime

Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Cursing, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content

Minor: Sexism, Blood, Body horror, Abortion, Alcoholism, and Animal death

ariel_marie's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

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

4.25

I had such a soft spot for all of these characters.

Mad Honey was so well written & covered important topics.

There were definitely some triggering moments as a large focus of this book covers DV. Sometimes it felt like things were being over explained & facts were given on end, but it was done in a way that was compelling.

The different POV's & past & present storytelling provided character depth that was much needed. Liv & Lily were so different yet so similar. I love that this was co-written with an author was has experience & can provide an authentic outlook to the topic covered in this book.

The ending though - it felt rushed & for a story that was so focused on justice, I did not appreciate the outcome.

I did absolutely love all the information I learned about bees & honey in this story. It was such a fun & lighthearted aspect to this heavy story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Sexual content

Minor: Abortion

cryfest's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Reading this as a trans queer non-binary person who has loved Jodi Picoult (one of the authors of this book) since high school -  I was a little apprehensive because I wasn’t sure if I trusted Jodi with my trans siblings, and while heart breaking, a lot of nuance to trans identities was explored compassionately, with the genius and lived experience of Finney Boylan of course. I definitely would encourage non-trans folks to read this as a small slice of insight to one fictional trans person’s experience/journey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide attempt, Violence, Domestic abuse, Murder, Abandonment, Hate crime, Mental illness, Outing, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Confinement

Minor: Pedophilia, Abortion, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Mass/school shootings

kebbe7's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Self harm, Gaslighting, Medical content, Pregnancy, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Body shaming, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia

sunnydale's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious tense slow-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

3.5

the first jodi picoult book i've read (albeit only half-written by her). her style is easy to glide through, and the characters are authentic and compelling. the plot involves some heavy subject matter that could be triggering, so i recommend checking content warnings. the ending was a little rushed and felt too satisfying—i think a lack of resolution actually would have fit the themes better. 

the audiobook has two voice actors, and they both do an excellent job. i also like the inclusion of recipes at the end!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Outing, Transphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Blood, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Gaslighting, Abortion, Hate crime, Medical content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Suicide attempts:

Lily and Asher both cut their wrists to attempt suicide.

Transphobia: Two scenes described in detail.

Both are from Lily's perspective. In the chapter "Lily 6," Lily is publicly humiliated at a school dance, then attacked in the parking lot. This event is referenced in later chapters. In "Lily 10," Lily is bullied at an all-boys school, then is physically abused by her father.

Domestic abuse: Many of Olivia's chapters include flashbacks to moments when she was abused by her ex-husband. Some of Lily's chapters also include descriptions of physical or emotional abuse. Domestic violence is a significant part of this book.

katelynprice's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I adored this book and can't believe that it was written by two authors. It feels like one seamless, cohesive story, which really proves their talent. The way Lily's story was told in reverse was so cleverly done. There were "big issues" in this book, but nothing felt overly manipulative or heavy-handed to me. The conversation was nuanced, yet accessible. It also felt balanced in a way that was honest while being honoring and respectful. This book models what it is like to seek out answers, make mistakes, learn how to correct yourself, and extend grace to someone whose experiences are different than yours. The perfect balance of assertiveness coupled with grace is what will stick with me the most. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Self harm, Hate crime, Outing, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abortion and Alcoholism

Minor: Cursing and Death of parent

emily_koopmann's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Transphobia, Self harm, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Suicide, Murder, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Grief

Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol

kampbellia's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse

Minor: Alcoholism

iovreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was really entertaining and I had trouble putting it down (like many of Jodi Picoult’s books). The first twist I didn’t see coming but the second twist I started to predict from about halfway through the book. There were some plot points that felt silly or not fully fleshed out (frankly I still don’t full get the whole beekeeper thing…), but I did enjoy the main characters two stories and the way the split timeline worked.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism