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lib_23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
peanutvue's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lit_laugh_luv's review against another edition
5.0
A creepy and visceral view of a healthcare worker’s experience in a paediatric unit, this lovely gem is filled with some beautiful lyrical prose. It is very much written as a stream-of-consciousness style (it reminded me of Paradise Rot or Cursed Bread) and is deliberately confusing. The novel is addressed to Laura’s (the protagonist) ex-partner as they navigate a split amidst her work supporting a critically ill baby in the ICU. Despite the short length, Laura is an interesting character and the surrealism is really well done.
I think this did a great job representing the grief and trauma that is associated with patient care, and how those emotions can impact our broader perception of the world. I really enjoyed the writing in this, but I’ll admit there’s a few scenes I didn’t really “get” - the ending was relatively clear to me but the scene with the crow didn’t fully make sense to me?
Either way I’d definitely recommend this if you like the work of Ottessa Moshfegh, Mona Awad or Julia Armfield!
We will wake up one day in a wasteland, surrounded by the crumbling bones of those who loved us and waited for us to love them back. We did not forget but we were too busy being useful. We will crumble next to them but it will take forever, we will sit amongst the piles of dust alone.
I think this did a great job representing the grief and trauma that is associated with patient care, and how those emotions can impact our broader perception of the world. I really enjoyed the writing in this, but I’ll admit there’s a few scenes I didn’t really “get” - the ending was relatively clear to me but the scene with the crow didn’t fully make sense to me?
Either way I’d definitely recommend this if you like the work of Ottessa Moshfegh, Mona Awad or Julia Armfield!
We will wake up one day in a wasteland, surrounded by the crumbling bones of those who loved us and waited for us to love them back. We did not forget but we were too busy being useful. We will crumble next to them but it will take forever, we will sit amongst the piles of dust alone.
chrisoula_m's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Excellent writing style
peckreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Moderate: Medical trauma, Grief, Medical content, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and Death
Minor: Blood and Cancer
theoreticalsiren's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
kimberlyds's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
sarahruthsreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75