Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Big Girl, Small Town

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen

11 reviews

sophiestasyna's review

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective 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

3.0

Content Warnings

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

Big Girl, Small Town is also set in Northern Ireland but after The Troubles, although religious divisions are still evident. The key character is Majella, who is neurodivergent, looks after her alcoholic mother since her father disappeared during The Troubles, and works six days a week in the local chip shop. Through the comings and goings of regular customers we get a rich picture of Majella’s town, one where poverty seems rampant. I enjoyed the distinctive writing style and Majella’s forthright opinions. I loved the ending with its hints of a wider world and more opportunities opening up for Majella. She does not fit the sterotype of an attractive, sympathetic character and I can see readers struggling to connect with her. But I thought Gallen did a masterful job creating and depicting Majella in such a way that readers would want the very best for her.

Content Warnings

jess_segraves's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

krys_kilz's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

I am finding it difficult to rate this book. It was very similar to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, which I enjoyed a bit more than this book. But I still really loved Majella's character. I related to her so much as someone also on the autism spectrum and after I finished, I missed her.

This book is definitely more of a character study firmly rooted in time and place (Northern Ireland after the Troubles), so if that isn't you're thing, then this book is not for you. I picked it up for the autistic main character and in that aspect, it certainly delivered.

Content Warnings

qqjj's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

theverybookish's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I listened to the abridged version through BBC Sounds and found it to be incredibly boring.

Content Warnings

orchardmoon's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

alexandra_gg's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

kaitsteak's review against another edition

Go to review page

sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Content Warnings

gabriellejane's review

Go to review page

slow-paced

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

3.0

Listened to this on audio thanks to LibroFM's ALC program for an honest review.

So honestly, I'm not sure Audio was the right format for me to read this book. I love Nicola Coughlin who narrates the book, but I thought it was so slow. Also, it felt like nothing happened. Don't know if I would have felt the same reading the physical copy.

Content Warnings

More...