Reviews tagging 'Schizophrenia/Psychosis '

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

25 reviews

pearlmijohns's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

i did really enjoy reading this book, i got caught up in it and i really liked the (controversial) ending.
that being said i also thought that the portrayal of mental illness was stigmatising, & that the queer characters were presented in quite a homophobic and one dimensional way.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

sho73's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

Average but not bad read

Though the ending was one of two outcomes I foresaw, and the origin of the baby being exactly what I imagined, it was ok

Issues like mental health and sexuality aren’t handled gracefully here, I wasn’t alive back in 1957 but enough of history documents how people seen as ‘other’ were treated to not have an issue with how it was portrayed 

I liked the circularity of the story 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

swaino's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This book gave me mixed emotions. The writing style was flawless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these perfectly curated sentences and chapters. 

It’s the plot that has given me the mixed feelings. I regret to say that I believed it to be quite predictable, with the origins of the virgin birth being what I had expected from the very beginning. The ending was also quite unnecessary and, if I dare say, almost ruined the book for me (whether that was out of heartbreak for the main character or a somewhat lazy plot, I am not so sure). 

Before the end, I wanted to give this book 4/5 stars, but the ending took me back. Perhaps after a few days of ruminating over this book I may change my mind. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

mpeach's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical content

Minor: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

amberrenfrey's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Infertility, Medical trauma, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Suicide attempt

jackbifrost's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Mental illness, Medical content, Dementia, and Classism

Moderate: Death, Rape, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Death of parent and War

merrynthomas's review against another edition

challenging emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

laurennicole98's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion

Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Grief

Minor: Cancer, Mental illness, Rape, Dementia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

princessemily's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Beautiful story that evokes powerful emotion from the start to end. The 1950s setting takes you immediately to that period without forcing a pair of rose tinted glasses on first. The characters are realistic and it’s easy to take to them as though they were old friends of mine. 

I have already recommended this to several friends.

Contrary to everyone’s belief that the ending was unnecessary I thought it further demonstrated the importance of taking the time to enjoy the “small pleasures” of life when you can. I was thankful that there was some ambiguity and we were not forced to witness the reaction of Jean, Gretchen and Margaret when they receive the news. The ending absolutely devastated me and I certainly needed some recovery time to stop crying but given the entire book is rooted in the reality of mundane and empathic life I found the ending to be equally realistic and a better fit than a “happily ever after”.

 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

sundaybookclub's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Minor: Cancer