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cecilialau_'s review against another edition
4.5
I really appreciate and enjoy the Northern Irish voice (dialogue and setting).
It’s been marketed with references to Derry Girls which I don’t see as noteworthy beyond the Northern Irish setting and the Troubles - and it’s not YA, but I get the desire from the publishers to do so (I just don’t want ppl to be disappointed and then for that to take away from this wonderful book). And yes, Majella shares some characteristics with Eleanor Oliphant (…is Completely Fine), but I still think this book stands on its own.
- Just want to add that I love all three.
Anyway, just a very good read imo
It’s been marketed with references to Derry Girls which I don’t see as noteworthy beyond the Northern Irish setting and the Troubles - and it’s not YA, but I get the desire from the publishers to do so (I just don’t want ppl to be disappointed and then for that to take away from this wonderful book). And yes, Majella shares some characteristics with Eleanor Oliphant (…is Completely Fine), but I still think this book stands on its own.
- Just want to add that I love all three.
Anyway, just a very good read imo
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Alcohol, Abandonment, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Pedophilia
Minor: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Cursing, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual content
jess_segraves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Pedophilia
Minor: Death and Abandonment
orchardmoon's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked this book, I really did, but I just wish it had said more, if that makes sense. Gallen has a wonderfully developed voice for a debut author, and I really enjoyed reading this book, but sometimes things just happened. The ending was a little disappointing, but overall it's a character-driven novel, and you stick around because you like Majella. Following her life over the course of the book was fun, and it was refreshing to hear a perspective outside of the "norm" for contemporary books. This is not a book for people who prefer plot over characters. Also, it's not particularly like "Derry Girls" other than the setting because there's not that same ensemble feel, and the family relationships are much darker. It's good to see autistic women in media, considering how underrepresented they are in overall life. I can't speak to how good the representation was (it's also not explicit but it's not difficult to infer), but from my perspective none of the usual red flags were there. Solid book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity and Pedophilia
leelahfox's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Death
Minor: Suicide
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