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A review by thereadingmum
Lonely Mouth by Jacqueline Maley
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What was it that I enjoyed quite so much about this book?
The writing is excellent. It is modern, but very well-crafted so it isn't awkwardly casual. It is realistic without being overly so, particularly the dialogue.
The characters are thoroughly engaging. Matilda is young and troubled, but not irritatingly delicate. Her life is ordered and systematic, just like how she runs the upscale Sydney restuarant. Especially her fortnightly binging-purging sessions. Then the almost-step-father who left her mother and her sister makes a reappearance and turns absolutely everything upside-down.
The events of Matilda's life are laid out with a simple honesty that is refreshing and the tragedy and ugliness are not over-dramatised, making them so much more meaningful. Unlike an over-hyped, over-tragedised book that shall be unnamed but has the word "Life" at the end of its title. Best example was when her teenage love, Will, who caused a fair amount of trauma, comes back and says, "I was so young. I'm sorry." It's not an excuse. No grovelling or unnecessary emotion.
Finally, the story is perfectly paced with a gentle incline that builds with a comfortable intensity and finally you come to a satisfying end that fills you with a warm fullness.
The writing is excellent. It is modern, but very well-crafted so it isn't awkwardly casual. It is realistic without being overly so, particularly the dialogue.
The characters are thoroughly engaging. Matilda is young and troubled, but not irritatingly delicate. Her life is ordered and systematic, just like how she runs the upscale Sydney restuarant. Especially her fortnightly binging-purging sessions. Then the almost-step-father who left her mother and her sister makes a reappearance and turns absolutely everything upside-down.
The events of Matilda's life are laid out with a simple honesty that is refreshing and the tragedy and ugliness are not over-dramatised, making them so much more meaningful. Unlike an over-hyped, over-tragedised book that shall be unnamed but has the word "Life" at the end of its title. Best example was when her teenage love, Will, who caused a fair amount of trauma, comes back and says, "I was so young. I'm sorry." It's not an excuse. No grovelling or unnecessary emotion.
Finally, the story is perfectly paced with a gentle incline that builds with a comfortable intensity and finally you come to a satisfying end that fills you with a warm fullness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Child abuse