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amy_park's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
4.5
Really enjoyed this book! Longlisted for womens prize for fiction 2024, I had to read it quick as it was needed back at the library, but this didn't deter my enjoyment.
I loved the conversational writing style, with the novel being essentially the narrator writing a letter to her very young son. The first chapter was unbelievably gripping, shocking and heartbreaking throwing you into the plotline with a bang.
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did, as motherhood is the central theme. I'm not a mother or aspire to be one but the lyrical prose drew me in from start to finish.
One of my favourites so far in reading the longlist, I hope it gets shortlisted 🤞
I loved the conversational writing style, with the novel being essentially the narrator writing a letter to her very young son. The first chapter was unbelievably gripping, shocking and heartbreaking throwing you into the plotline with a bang.
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did, as motherhood is the central theme. I'm not a mother or aspire to be one but the lyrical prose drew me in from start to finish.
One of my favourites so far in reading the longlist, I hope it gets shortlisted 🤞
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Abandonment
creepycrawlybookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved a lot about this book, especially the emotion, the rawness, and the humour. Some parts felt a little repetitive, but I think this was likely because of the nature of the content and plot.
Sadly the ending didn’t quite gel with the rest for me, as it felt a bit rushed. The book could also do without the fat shaming parts, albeit small, there are other ways to get the point across. There were some really stunning, and brutally emotive, parts in the writing though, and I’m keen to read more by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
kerryamchugh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An absolute gut punch of a read, written in the voice of a mother to her young child through the absolute mental hell that matrescence can be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, and Mental illness
caoimheisme's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
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