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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Moderate: Cancer, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Sexual harassment, Classism
This story, built around an abortion clinic in Boston, may be driven by an agenda but it doesn’t go quite where you think it’s headed. I appreciated that. Interesting characters flesh it out nicely with their diverse viewpoints. Wintertime Boston is practically a character in the story, creating a vivid sense of place. Very satisfying.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
medium-paced
Is this the right time to read a book about an abortion clinic full of capable women just trying to provide essential services to people who need them, and the creepy dudes who become obsessed with that clinic for deluded and infuriating reasons? Hard to say. But it's so good and the characters drawn with such vivid details and compassion, even the creepiest dude, that I do recommend it. That said, I am relieved to be done with this book! The storylines begin to converge and Haigh ratchets up the tension and I had to bring this to my office to read during lunch. I really loved Claudia, the protagonist, who grew up broke in rural Maine and has found a sense of purpose in her efficient and urgent work at the clinic. The other three characters are harder to love, but Haigh gives everyone a story and motivation and they're honestly so tragic that you wish for relief more than comeuppance. Does it all tie up too neatly at the end? Perhaps. Also this is a SPOILER but if you, like me, would struggle to read this book if you're afraid it's just leading you to a horrifying scene where the creepy dude blows up the clinic, I want to reassure you: that's not where this is going. Spending time in his head is unsettling and tense, but Haight doesn't need a bloodbath to tell her story.
Very Boston-y! Streets and architecture and the orange line and traffic and Stop and Shop. That part is fun for my locals out here!
Very Boston-y! Streets and architecture and the orange line and traffic and Stop and Shop. That part is fun for my locals out here!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fascinating read that portrays the internal lives of people associated with a clinic providing abortions, employees and protestors. A compassionate reflection of our confusing, conflicted times.
This won't be for everyone but I liked it. Jennifer Haigh has become one of my favorites.