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jgnoelle 's review for:
Where Ivy Dares to Grow
by Marielle Thompson
I really liked the concept of this book, where a woman struggling with mental illness goes back in time to have a relationship with her neglectful fiancé’s ancestor, and how for a long time it wasn’t clear whether it was truly happening or not. Eventually, the not knowing did change. I understand the authors desire to write about though, so even though I would have preferred not knowing the truth and having it be left open-ended, I accept her authorial decision, and I did learn something about , which I’d never heard of before.
The writing was very lush and Gothic—quite lovely at times. I did find the narrative a little dense, though, and also quite exposition-heavy since Saoirse spent so much time by herself. As well the narrative beats were quite repetitive, especially the closer the story got to the end. I feel like this book started life about 10,000 words shorter and was padded out with repeated ideas about how Saoirse didn’t know what she would do with herself if she broke up with Jack; how she had no way of supporting herself without him; how she was afraid of becoming sick again without Jack, there to anchor her, etc. etc. Not much happened in this book plot-wise so it really could have been a tighter, faster read.
I found Saoirse very hard to relate to personally with how dependent upon Jack she’d allowed herself to become when he’d clearly lost interest some time ago. In this regard Saoirse read very much like a historical heroine with no modern-day rights and resources—perfectly suited to the early 19th century to which she constantly time-traveled—rather than a woman living in 1994. For that reason I appreciated the fact that in the end, she chose. That is a beneficial message for anyone who struggles with illness or disability.
Spoiler
depersonalization-derealization disorderSpoiler
the disorderThe writing was very lush and Gothic—quite lovely at times. I did find the narrative a little dense, though, and also quite exposition-heavy since Saoirse spent so much time by herself. As well the narrative beats were quite repetitive, especially the closer the story got to the end. I feel like this book started life about 10,000 words shorter and was padded out with repeated ideas about how Saoirse didn’t know what she would do with herself if she broke up with Jack; how she had no way of supporting herself without him; how she was afraid of becoming sick again without Jack, there to anchor her, etc. etc. Not much happened in this book plot-wise so it really could have been a tighter, faster read.
I found Saoirse very hard to relate to personally with how dependent upon Jack she’d allowed herself to become when he’d clearly lost interest some time ago. In this regard Saoirse read very much like a historical heroine with no modern-day rights and resources—perfectly suited to the early 19th century to which she constantly time-traveled—rather than a woman living in 1994. For that reason I appreciated the fact that in the end, she chose