izzy_r1's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
cestelaine's review against another edition
2.0
A few tiny sparks in this one but intensely ... flat.
I found the prose overwritten and basic. The jumping between timelines felt chaotic & at times quite unnecessary.
I’ve no more to add that hasn’t been said in other 2 or 3 stars reviews. I remain confused about the hype around this one.
I found the prose overwritten and basic. The jumping between timelines felt chaotic & at times quite unnecessary.
I’ve no more to add that hasn’t been said in other 2 or 3 stars reviews. I remain confused about the hype around this one.
meggles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
monicatdwyer's review against another edition
3.0
I really... just couldn’t sympathise with Elaine at all which held back my enjoyment of this novel. She’s CRAZY and Mina should DROP HER.
Also I struggled finding Elaine story believable too.
Did they ever have sex or kiss?? Or was it just sparks flying??
Hannan is definitely a very talented writer and I’ll be reading her next book.
But she gotta work on her structure, and if you write a non linear story... do it better than this. I hate when past, present, day dreams jump around and nothing is clear! If you’re going to do it. Do it well.
Also I struggled finding Elaine story believable too.
Did they ever have sex or kiss?? Or was it just sparks flying??
Hannan is definitely a very talented writer and I’ll be reading her next book.
But she gotta work on her structure, and if you write a non linear story... do it better than this. I hate when past, present, day dreams jump around and nothing is clear! If you’re going to do it. Do it well.
issybartlett_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Spoiler
thought the book and storytelling started off very strong, but the mother plot line had SO much potential which i think just fell a bit short
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
carly_mckenna's review against another edition
2.0
It was not her heart, she realised, but her phone vibrating against an empty, forever-yellowed Tupperware container in her bag. “Leave it”, Jack said, the darkness of love in his voice.
This poorly written excerpt on Kokomo’s back cover should have sent alarm bells ringing for me, much like its opening pages.
The novel begins with a near-sexual encounter that sounds like it’s written from the perspective of a 16 year old girl. The protagonist’s poetic ode to an erect penis becomes even more bizarre when you realise that she is actually 32 years old.
I pushed through, hoping that this novel would go on to explore the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, agoraphobia and related mental health issues. Instead, it gave a cringeworthy account of unrequited crushes and melodramatic longings.
In a vein similar to Jessie Tu’s A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing, this book was surrounded by hype. I just didn't get it.
This poorly written excerpt on Kokomo’s back cover should have sent alarm bells ringing for me, much like its opening pages.
The novel begins with a near-sexual encounter that sounds like it’s written from the perspective of a 16 year old girl. The protagonist’s poetic ode to an erect penis becomes even more bizarre when you realise that she is actually 32 years old.
I pushed through, hoping that this novel would go on to explore the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships, agoraphobia and related mental health issues. Instead, it gave a cringeworthy account of unrequited crushes and melodramatic longings.
In a vein similar to Jessie Tu’s A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing, this book was surrounded by hype. I just didn't get it.
lillianjv's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
carlytenille's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Pregnancy, Cancer, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Sexual content
millie_burns's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
Loved that it was set in Melbourne, loved that it was different to anything I’ve read in a while, written beautifully, gorgeous.
Loved that it was set in Melbourne, loved that it was different to anything I’ve read in a while, written beautifully, gorgeous.