A review by jainabee
Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.0

Not an easy or light read, yet strangely beautiful and even darkly hilarious in places. The final twist—knowing that the characters were very fictionalized versions of her family— seemed like a vicious cackle to all that had ever tormented the author. It feels like an exorcism and a victory dance!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Classism, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Chronic illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Child abuse, Medical content, Misogyny, Bullying, Alcohol, Confinement, and Dementia

Minor: Terminal illness and Death of parent

Inspired by Janet Frame's family and her experiences in mental institutions. Not factual, but very accurate emotionally.