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tatertotsworldwide 's review for:
Woman on the Verge
by Kim Hooper
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was quite the rollercoaster. I made it through this book super fast, though it was not at all what I expected. The prose was well-written and made for an easy and enjoyable read, but my god was it depressing at times.
I’m not sure the description really captures what a downer this book is; 80% of it is either describing the agony of a loved one’s decline into illness or candidly describing the hardest parts of motherhood. However, if you know this going in, it is definitely an intriguing read.
Much of it feels slice of life, with just enough foreshadowing to keep you constantly theorizing about what might happen next. Of the major twists, I’d say I called one really early, one before it happened, and one had my jaw on the floor because I didn’t see it coming at all. It seems to be an unpopular opinion but the last part of the book was my favorite and felt like the perfect conclusion to me. I also particularly enjoy the select moments of female rage where we see one of the characters lose it. I imagine people who do not relate will think these parts are unrealistic or exaggerated, while the people who do relate will nod and say they’ve been there.
All in all, a recommended read if you're someone who reads to feel seen and understood, or if you’re a fan of brutally honest depictions of parenting, complex characters and family dynamics, and stories about finding resilience in every day life. If you're someone who reads to escape real life or are particularly sensitive to descriptions grief or mental health struggles, this may be one to skip.
A big thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not sure the description really captures what a downer this book is; 80% of it is either describing the agony of a loved one’s decline into illness or candidly describing the hardest parts of motherhood. However, if you know this going in, it is definitely an intriguing read.
Much of it feels slice of life, with just enough foreshadowing to keep you constantly theorizing about what might happen next. Of the major twists, I’d say I called one really early, one before it happened, and one had my jaw on the floor because I didn’t see it coming at all. It seems to be an unpopular opinion but the last part of the book was my favorite and felt like the perfect conclusion to me. I also particularly enjoy the select moments of female rage where we see one of the characters lose it. I imagine people who do not relate will think these parts are unrealistic or exaggerated, while the people who do relate will nod and say they’ve been there.
All in all, a recommended read if you're someone who reads to feel seen and understood, or if you’re a fan of brutally honest depictions of parenting, complex characters and family dynamics, and stories about finding resilience in every day life. If you're someone who reads to escape real life or are particularly sensitive to descriptions grief or mental health struggles, this may be one to skip.
A big thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy