A review by octobermontoya
Post-traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson

dark funny reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Post-Traumatic is a survivor story, although it isn't always in-your-face obvious. The story revolves around Vivian, a straight, Afro-Latina, millennial lawyer/patient advocate who works in a New York psychiatric hospital. Most of the book follows Vivian as she contends with her relationship with her biological family, her attempts to self medicate with alcohol, weed, and men, and her eventual
PTSD diagnosis
. The book is full of Vivian's dark sense of humor, which she shares with her best friend, a queer Black woman (Jane) who is also a survivor. Vivian is relatable in that she's messy and anxious, and it's easy to root for her even when she's making embarrassing and unethical decisions. Before getting the audio book, I read a review which described Post-Traumatic as cool and stylish, and despite the seriousness of central themes of the book, I agree with those adjectives. 
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