A review by racheyreads
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

One of the most uplifting and challenging contemporary novels I have read in a while. The most striking feature of this novel was the writing. It was beautifully written. This novel also deals with some very heavy, yet realistic, topics and can be a downer if someone is experiencing grief, heartbreak or mental illness.

I appreciated how the main character navigated her life and her abundance of empathy for others. Unfortunately, this book narrates a toxic relationship which Adelaide has a difficult time realising and accepting. This fact in itself is the entire plotline for this novel, and I found myself wanting to slap her stupid and understanding the ways she continues to get into the rut that is this relationship.

Adelaide's hallelujah moment in coming to terms with her own mental fragility was empowering. Though if I am honest, Adelaide was lucky. She had her realisation, her friends swarmed her with support, and her job was accommodating enough to allow her the time to adjust and recover. As heart warming as it was for Adelaide, this is not the reality a lot of people face and felt almost too good to be true.
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