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Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'
Alone With You in the Ether: Waterstones Exclusive Edition by Olivie Blake
257 reviews
gbeene's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.0
an endearing love story, through there were moments that I definitely questioned their relationship. very detailed, lyrical prose, sometimes a little too philosophical. Though Regan’s pov sometimes felt like an episode, I really enjoyed both main characters
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
graylin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
Wow. This is one of the best books I have ever read. The writing style is unique, compelling, and raw. The quotes in here are wonderful, give me goosebumps. Read the afterword. I will be thinking about this book for a long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Drug abuse
nclausel25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use and Infidelity
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Are you sometimes so stubborn about what you want a book to be that you overlook what’s actually written on the cover or the back ?
Olivie Blake is an author I've wanted to read for a few years. I couldn't decide which of her books to start with until I heard about this one and some words ticked very specific boxes: PhD student character, Art, Time. I blissfully ignored the subtitle that said “a love story” and jumped in.
This novel really is a love story, can you believe it ? That being said, Blake has a very original approach to romance which did appeal to me although the genre usually doesn't. It’s a very playful novel, literary-speaking. I don’t want to give too much away, but the author plays with narration in a way I haven’t often seen and it felt very clever without being too high-brow, if that makes sense.
Rep: MC with bipolar disorder (not stated but described at length and stated in the acknowledgments), autistic-coded MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content
seastheday's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I suffer from mental illness but I’ve dealt with it for years and have an understanding on it and how it affects my life. I think this book may be dangerous to those that don’t fully understand their mental illness or are new to understanding it. The authors note at the end should be a prologue, explaining her reasoning for writing the book. I would definitely steer clear of this book if you are feeling manic or hypomanic.
The book itself is interesting enough to finish. I didn’t want to DNF it. But sometimes the stream of consciousness (you are constantly in the characters thought process instead of formed thoughts) caused the book to be confusing at times. I believe this was done to show the mental illness and how it affects the brain. However, I don’t think it was done in a way that is helpful or inspiring. I ended the book feeling almost sad and annoyed. Annoyed at the characters and the conclusion to their stories. Again, I think this is a dangerous book to read if you are mentally ill or have had crisis’ recently that you have not worked though.
The book itself is interesting enough to finish. I didn’t want to DNF it. But sometimes the stream of consciousness (you are constantly in the characters thought process instead of formed thoughts) caused the book to be confusing at times. I believe this was done to show the mental illness and how it affects the brain. However, I don’t think it was done in a way that is helpful or inspiring. I ended the book feeling almost sad and annoyed. Annoyed at the characters and the conclusion to their stories. Again, I think this is a dangerous book to read if you are mentally ill or have had crisis’ recently that you have not worked though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, and Chronic illness
e_riahh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
justmaria's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
zgreyz's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I like this but I also still don't know how to feel about it. The ending didn't satisfy me. Parts of it were confusing and I thought it was going to go in a very different direction. But there are a lot of quotes that I love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence
belle13's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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
3.5
I originally rated this four stars because the author’s note made me love it a little more but after thinking about it for a few days I’ve decided it’s definitely a three and a half star for me. I don’t think it’ll really stick with me and although I think the author has talent I’m not tempted to pick up another of hers any time soon.
There were points where this was unbearably pretentious but I also think that is sort of the point. I think I’m meant to find the writing and the characters a little pretentious. Aldo was a much more likeable character than Regan and I thought he reminded me a little of Spencer Reid from Criminal minds which was fun. Regan on the other hand was so unlikeable but I also think Regan really disliked herself too and once again, I kind of think that’s the whole point. It was very much a realistic portrayal of someone with bipolar disorder and the complexities that surround having a diagnosis like that which I think the author wrote exceedingly well.
I listened to this on audio and I will say, I think that really affected how much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t connect with the characters as much and didn’t enjoy the narration so I would be interested to see if my opinion changed if I was to read it with my eyeballs.
I would recommend it if you’re looking for a complex romance that will make you think a little more deeply and you like characters who make you want to pick them apart and study their behaviour and emotions.
There were points where this was unbearably pretentious but I also think that is sort of the point. I think I’m meant to find the writing and the characters a little pretentious. Aldo was a much more likeable character than Regan and I thought he reminded me a little of Spencer Reid from Criminal minds which was fun. Regan on the other hand was so unlikeable but I also think Regan really disliked herself too and once again, I kind of think that’s the whole point. It was very much a realistic portrayal of someone with bipolar disorder and the complexities that surround having a diagnosis like that which I think the author wrote exceedingly well.
I listened to this on audio and I will say, I think that really affected how much I enjoyed it. I couldn’t connect with the characters as much and didn’t enjoy the narration so I would be interested to see if my opinion changed if I was to read it with my eyeballs.
I would recommend it if you’re looking for a complex romance that will make you think a little more deeply and you like characters who make you want to pick them apart and study their behaviour and emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse and Addiction
readerette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A well written story about two imperfect people trying to make their way in life, who find an imperfect love with one another.
If you are bothered by relationship drama, this may not be a story for you, but I enjoyed the philosophical musings of both characters enough to balance out the drama (I especially resonated with Aldo). I've never had exactly the thoughts or obsessions these two had, but some of their wonderings and worries definitely struck a chord for me that made the book quite an emotional journey.
If you are bothered by relationship drama, this may not be a story for you, but I enjoyed the philosophical musings of both characters enough to balance out the drama (I especially resonated with Aldo). I've never had exactly the thoughts or obsessions these two had, but some of their wonderings and worries definitely struck a chord for me that made the book quite an emotional journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, and Drug use