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midnightstory 's review for:
Countless
by Karen Gregory
3.7/5
I'm finding it quite hard to figure out what exactly my thoughts and feelings are when it comes to [book:Countless|34299826]. On one hand, I enjoyed it and I found that I related to Hedda in some ways, due to having gone through similar experiences, but on the other hand, I kind of just wished that more had happened? To put it simply, I feel as though if you don't connect with Hedda then this book probably isn't for you, since not much else happens, really. For the most part, it's week after week of Hedda's struggle with anorexia, which gets repetitive, fast. But don't get me wrong, there are a few interesting things that occur (mainly baby being born) but not enough to sustain your interest for so long. In fact, I almost gave up. The only reason I kept on reading was because, like aforementioned, I connected with Hedda and I didn't want to give up on her if that makes sense at all? And due to how much I related to Hedda and her struggles, I tagged on an extra star to my rating, making it the first four-star book I've read in a while (I think). After all, if a book can make you feel so connected to a character that you continued reading then I think it deserves that extra star. (Especially since I almost gave up at around 40%.)
I'd also like to mention that the realism within Countless was truly refreshing. The nurses, clinics, arguments, money problems, death, dysfunctional families, etc. all contributed to creating an atmosphere in which I bought into. It would have been only too easy for Gregor to shy away from these topics, mentioning them only in passing, not going into the raw emotions that come with suffering from illnesses and feeling as though the whole world is against you. I welcomed the authenticity.
Overall, this is positively deserving of the read. It might get a bit emotional in some areas (such as that thing that happens towards the end) and you'll feel like giving up in others, but just try and stick with it. Also, the conclusion was unexpected. I didn't see it coming; however, it was excellent and I can't picture it finishing any other way.
I'm finding it quite hard to figure out what exactly my thoughts and feelings are when it comes to [book:Countless|34299826]. On one hand, I enjoyed it and I found that I related to Hedda in some ways, due to having gone through similar experiences, but on the other hand, I kind of just wished that more had happened? To put it simply, I feel as though if you don't connect with Hedda then this book probably isn't for you, since not much else happens, really. For the most part, it's week after week of Hedda's struggle with anorexia, which gets repetitive, fast. But don't get me wrong, there are a few interesting things that occur (mainly baby being born) but not enough to sustain your interest for so long. In fact, I almost gave up. The only reason I kept on reading was because, like aforementioned, I connected with Hedda and I didn't want to give up on her if that makes sense at all? And due to how much I related to Hedda and her struggles, I tagged on an extra star to my rating, making it the first four-star book I've read in a while (I think). After all, if a book can make you feel so connected to a character that you continued reading then I think it deserves that extra star. (Especially since I almost gave up at around 40%.)
I'd also like to mention that the realism within Countless was truly refreshing. The nurses, clinics, arguments, money problems, death, dysfunctional families, etc. all contributed to creating an atmosphere in which I bought into. It would have been only too easy for Gregor to shy away from these topics, mentioning them only in passing, not going into the raw emotions that come with suffering from illnesses and feeling as though the whole world is against you. I welcomed the authenticity.
Overall, this is positively deserving of the read. It might get a bit emotional in some areas (such as that thing that happens towards the end) and you'll feel like giving up in others, but just try and stick with it. Also, the conclusion was unexpected. I didn't see it coming; however, it was excellent and I can't picture it finishing any other way.