Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

6 reviews

a_ab's review against another edition

challenging hopeful reflective sad 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

3.5*s. (?)
I have a hard time formulating my reaction to this book. 

I liked the characters, the writing and the slow calm narrative style. And despite some traumatic events happening on page, I appreciated both the way they were described (in a way that didn't aim to traumatize the reader, as is often the case) and the fact that not all potentially dangerous situations were played to their most dramatic/traumatic potential (i.e. the author didn't pile on the drama for drama's sake).

I can't say much about the autism spectrum representation, but it seemed to have been handled with some care. Although I am more conflicted about the detailed explicit sex scenes which were kind of relevant, but also not strictly necessary, and there are many better ways in which that whole topic could have been handled to the same effect, but with much more tact and grace.

At the same time, the way 9/11 is incorporated into the narrative seemed like an attempt to capitalize on the tragedy, which is an automatic red-rage trigger for me. So, there was that. 

Otherwise this would have made a good rainy day reread candidate. And maybe it still is, if I can talk myself into not reacting to the 9/11 issue.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Miscarriage

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Animal death, Dementia, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death of parent and Sexual assault

ewarde's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Miscarriage

Minor: Dementia and Death of parent

rustmaiden's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage

Moderate: Death

Minor: Dementia and Death of parent

paigemistler's review against another edition

emotional

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Miscarriage

Minor: Death of parent

spkysi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

3.25

The majority of this book was great, I really loved Janice. She’s the type of friend we all need. The writing is enjoyable and I liked how the past and present timelines were crafted. Unfortunately, the ending of this book was a huge letdown. With 9/11 becoming the backdrop for the end of the book, it felt rushed and incomplete, especially compared to the rest of the book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Dementia, and Suicidal thoughts

gagne's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Sexual content, Miscarriage, and Ableism

Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

This book mentions the 9/11 2001 attacks on the twin towers in NYC including describing the towers collapsing. This is in the last thirty percent of the book.