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A review by k80mae
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"You broke that cycle for me. Thank you for that. Second to I love you, that's the thing I keep wanting to say. Thank you. Besides I'm sorry."
Without a doubt, this is the single best study in grief that I have ever had the privilege to read. Every time I discuss the importance of choosing the correct POV for a story and why it is critical to its success as a narrative, I will be using this as an example. I am someone who is highly critical of first person POV and oftentimes will turn away from books simply because it is the POV used. But the way that this novel masterfully uses the first person, interweaving elements in such a way that it feels as if it is in second person POV, is breathtaking. I cannot imagine this story written in any other way.
Every bit of strangeness and surrealism bring an impending sense of dread, yet it all pales in comparison to the descriptions of grief. There is no good way to be able to explain how effectively Moreno explored the experience of losing a loved one. This is a book that I only hope people will experience for themselves.
Without a doubt, this is the single best study in grief that I have ever had the privilege to read. Every time I discuss the importance of choosing the correct POV for a story and why it is critical to its success as a narrative, I will be using this as an example. I am someone who is highly critical of first person POV and oftentimes will turn away from books simply because it is the POV used. But the way that this novel masterfully uses the first person, interweaving elements in such a way that it feels as if it is in second person POV, is breathtaking. I cannot imagine this story written in any other way.
Every bit of strangeness and surrealism bring an impending sense of dread, yet it all pales in comparison to the descriptions of grief. There is no good way to be able to explain how effectively Moreno explored the experience of losing a loved one. This is a book that I only hope people will experience for themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Medical content
Much of the content in this book is upsetting, but it is all handled with a great deal of care.