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jalberton18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sdkjfskldjf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookmarkedbybritt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
musicalpopcorn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
A story of trauma and connections and how they ripple through families and generations, The Break tells the story of a group of people and the resilience of women.
This book made me very sad from start to finish. It was well-written and the audiobook was well narrated, giving the characters voices. The characters were all complex and deep creating thought-provoking stories that wove together seamlessly.
This book made me very sad from start to finish. It was well-written and the audiobook was well narrated, giving the characters voices. The characters were all complex and deep creating thought-provoking stories that wove together seamlessly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
othersimmons's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ruminating_blayne's review
4.5
While I had difficulty distinguishing characters (in particular Lou and Paul) this was an engrossing and sad narrative following an indigenous and Metis family during a shatteringly horrible event.
jduff86's review
3.0
As a Canadian, I really wanted to love this award-winning book set in Manitoba. Even though I didn’t, I still think it’s an important book—because it highlights the continued effects of racial discrimination, trauma, cultural loss, and violence against women that Indigenous communities face. These are issues every Canadian needs to care about and get educated on.
What I liked most: This intergenerational family saga really captured the love and resilience of Indigenous women. The women in this book are true survivors—not just in the present context of their lives, but also in the national history of trauma their communities have faced. They uplift each other and protect each other in beautiful ways—showing unwavering strength when they stand together.
Where I ran into trouble with this story was what I felt was a lack of depth and energy. There are so many narrative perspectives, you feel like you’re hopping all over the place, and not really getting an opportunity to know or connect with the individual characters. There were long tangents and backstories that felt disjointed from the central plot. The story is heartbreaking, and because it moved slowish for me, I felt like I was stuck in this heavy place for too long. And many of the characters ended up in the same place they started—without much growth.
Because of this, the book dragged on for me and I didn’t feel as invested in the characters or their journeys. I was looking forward to ending on a note of hope, but on the final page, I just felt sort of depressed.
I think with the same story but a different writing approach that focused more on only a couple of central characters, this could have been a 4-star for me.
What I liked most: This intergenerational family saga really captured the love and resilience of Indigenous women. The women in this book are true survivors—not just in the present context of their lives, but also in the national history of trauma their communities have faced. They uplift each other and protect each other in beautiful ways—showing unwavering strength when they stand together.
Where I ran into trouble with this story was what I felt was a lack of depth and energy. There are so many narrative perspectives, you feel like you’re hopping all over the place, and not really getting an opportunity to know or connect with the individual characters. There were long tangents and backstories that felt disjointed from the central plot. The story is heartbreaking, and because it moved slowish for me, I felt like I was stuck in this heavy place for too long. And many of the characters ended up in the same place they started—without much growth.
Because of this, the book dragged on for me and I didn’t feel as invested in the characters or their journeys. I was looking forward to ending on a note of hope, but on the final page, I just felt sort of depressed.
I think with the same story but a different writing approach that focused more on only a couple of central characters, this could have been a 4-star for me.
v_de_quimper's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
penchant's review
4.0
Oh, Canada Reads! How could such a compelling story with richly drawn characters be eliminated in the first round? It hurts.