m_corsano's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I adored this book. The writing style is so intimate and precise that is almost read like someone’s (my own?) diary. It is the most accurate and sympathetic depiction of living with mental illness or having someone in your life with mental illness I’ve ever come across. This is a book I will think about for a long time. It changed me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Miscarriage
alisonhp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I wasn’t convinced by the description, or from the first few chapters. Then, suddenly, I found myself oscillating between feeling deeply moved and bursting out laughing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcoholism
mandyherbet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Oh this book. Sigh.
I can see why it’s polarising in many ways but the writing is so beautiful that I want to buy a copy just to highlight it because I loved the writing so much.
The main character is Martha, a 40-year-old with a mental illness that is never named but is most likely bipolar disorder. It’s not an easy read at all and it may be triggering for some but I’m glad I read it and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time
I can see why it’s polarising in many ways but the writing is so beautiful that I want to buy a copy just to highlight it because I loved the writing so much.
The main character is Martha, a 40-year-old with a mental illness that is never named but is most likely bipolar disorder. It’s not an easy read at all and it may be triggering for some but I’m glad I read it and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
waderlustleisure's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
books4em's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is all vibes, no plot. Not going to lie, was not a fan of this book at all. I related to the feelings of relief and understanding when she got her diagnosis, but that was about it. It’s a hot mess and the side characters are all over the place as well. They often claim to be doing their best to help the MC, but that “best” is a rally low bar. I also thought it should’ve ended at the journal scene. The ending is a good ending for this book, but I still don’t think the last 30ish pages were necessary. Won’t be rereading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
jackalexdale's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Abortion, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
liesbethvv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book really grew on me. I felt a bit disconnected from the main character Martha from the beginning, as she struggles through her relationships, romantically and within her family and friends but the second half of the book just blew me away. How well constructed, how painful to see the unreliable narrator fall into despair and with a few plot twist thrown in the different topics just slot together so well.
I must say this is definitely not a lighthearted or laugh-out-loud funny book to me, but the banter between Martha and her sister Ingrid is so, so drily funny it made me smile a lot.
I would definitely recommend this read, albeit a hard one, if only to augment one’s empathy towards the others, you never know what a person is dealing with.
I must say this is definitely not a lighthearted or laugh-out-loud funny book to me, but the banter between Martha and her sister Ingrid is so, so drily funny it made me smile a lot.
I would definitely recommend this read, albeit a hard one, if only to augment one’s empathy towards the others, you never know what a person is dealing with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence
jupiter5's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Vomit
sunshinebooks99's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
5.0
I loved this book. It’s the first time in ages where I haven’t been able to stop thinking about a book, desperate to read it all the time! It’s such a fantastic representation of mental health, and the way that it affects not only those suffering but also those around them. I cannot describe how much I loved this - you feel everything alongside Martha, the writing is so incredible, and Mason is so clever with her writing style. You really feel invested in all the characters, but it also made me reflect upon my own life. So so so good!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage
adelaidelivia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I felt exposed, though I could not relate to everything Martha was feeling. But the point is that I was (or still am?) going through something and reading this book made me see myself from an outsider's view, and I don't like it. And that's what makes me love this book.
I like that there isn't any perfect character.
I love Martha and could understand (though I discourage it) how she self-sabotaged, and I only knew that she was doing it near the end. I could relate to her so much that I did not realize she was self-sabotaging. Or until Patrick pointed it out.
I love Ingrid and how she was so real for what she had to say about her marriage.
I love Patrick and how he isn't trying to be the nicest guy on earth. He's just... Patrick. He is a good person (a very kind one, actually), and that's enough for him. He acknowledges that he was wrong but he also doesn't try to belittle or diminish his suffering.
And I love every other character too.
I like that there isn't any perfect character.
I love Martha and could understand (though I discourage it) how she self-sabotaged, and I only knew that she was doing it near the end. I could relate to her so much that I did not realize she was self-sabotaging. Or until Patrick pointed it out.
I love Ingrid and how she was so real for what she had to say about her marriage.
I love Patrick and how he isn't trying to be the nicest guy on earth. He's just... Patrick. He is a good person (a very kind one, actually), and that's enough for him. He acknowledges that he was wrong but he also doesn't try to belittle or diminish his suffering.
And I love every other character too.
You're the same as everybody else. But that's harder for you, isn't it. You'd rather be one or the other. The idea you might be ordinary is unbearable.
Geez, Patrick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Suicidal thoughts