Scan barcode
A review by pause_theframe
Center of Gravity by Laura McNeill
5.0
This book hooked me, pulled me in, wreaked havoc on my emotions and wouldn’t let me go. Even after putting the book down, I could not stop thinking about the story. Throughout my read, when I needed to leave the story to do work, I thought, wondered, worried about our main character and what was going to happen next.
I may have a slight emotional interest in this book, as I grew up in a relationship that was similar to this in so many ways. I was only a child, but so much happened and so many times I had to stop things from happening, and took the brunt of the blows, that it is something I relate to very much. As with a lot who have grown up in those situations, I also had similar relationships of my own, until I met my wonderful husband.
This ultimately meant that from page one I was hooked. I adored what the author portrayed, as it happens to so many people, men and women. I know that the book may be a trigger for some. There were even times when the story had me looking back on my life and crying, but they were tears of understanding, tears of joy and tears to acknowledge what my past has made me into(which I am lucky was a good turnout).
This is a dark book, in many ways, but it is also a very uplifting book, as we watch the main character start to realise her situation and aim to get herself out of it, promptly. I liked the level of detail the author had, as it was really true to such stories. I could feel and relate to all the emotions and thoughts that were running through the main characters head.
I found the pace to be really good. We were given time to find out about our main character, see the relationship, learn about its past and what it has evolved into and get a look at the leading male. From there we were thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts, actions and regretfully, excuses. The whirlwind was easy to keep up with and read, but really portrayed just what it is like in those situations.
I found the story really tackled the question ‘why doesn’t she just leave’ very well. Often in these situations the victim finds it hard to leave and many times it is for the exact reasons that the author gave us.
Overall, this is a profound and deeply touching book. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, from the deepest fear and sorrow all the way to inspiring. I highly recommend this read, especially if you’ve lived in an abusive/controlling relationship. Reading this was gorgeous.
I may have a slight emotional interest in this book, as I grew up in a relationship that was similar to this in so many ways. I was only a child, but so much happened and so many times I had to stop things from happening, and took the brunt of the blows, that it is something I relate to very much. As with a lot who have grown up in those situations, I also had similar relationships of my own, until I met my wonderful husband.
This ultimately meant that from page one I was hooked. I adored what the author portrayed, as it happens to so many people, men and women. I know that the book may be a trigger for some. There were even times when the story had me looking back on my life and crying, but they were tears of understanding, tears of joy and tears to acknowledge what my past has made me into(which I am lucky was a good turnout).
This is a dark book, in many ways, but it is also a very uplifting book, as we watch the main character start to realise her situation and aim to get herself out of it, promptly. I liked the level of detail the author had, as it was really true to such stories. I could feel and relate to all the emotions and thoughts that were running through the main characters head.
I found the pace to be really good. We were given time to find out about our main character, see the relationship, learn about its past and what it has evolved into and get a look at the leading male. From there we were thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts, actions and regretfully, excuses. The whirlwind was easy to keep up with and read, but really portrayed just what it is like in those situations.
I found the story really tackled the question ‘why doesn’t she just leave’ very well. Often in these situations the victim finds it hard to leave and many times it is for the exact reasons that the author gave us.
Overall, this is a profound and deeply touching book. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, from the deepest fear and sorrow all the way to inspiring. I highly recommend this read, especially if you’ve lived in an abusive/controlling relationship. Reading this was gorgeous.