georgie_mb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Let’s start with the positives: the descriptions are truly beautiful, and that honestly was a whole star in my rrating system. I could see The Paper Palace and it’s surrounding, it was a very sensory experience.
For some reason (and I don’t really know why), I got more into this in the second half than the first, and I’m wondering whether it was because I settled into the banter of the family. Possibly because it reminded me slightly of my own…
I do have some issues with it though. Firstly I don’t think it helped that the Audible narrator sounded like the female US Siri which made some of it come across as very cold. But I think even looking past that, some parts really lacked emotion, and almost came across as harsh. I found this particularly hard to swallow when it come to the really disturbing parts, so much so I had to skip forward sometimes.
I also found the storyline lacked purpose. I think with the beginning it set it up to be a completely different book to what it turned out to be, and I was left slightly disappointed by that. There just didn’t seem to be any clear direction, regardless of the varying time lines.
Graphic: Child abuse, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Sexual assault, Death, Incest, Infidelity, and Rape
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
elsmithies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Cancer
Moderate: Death
brett311's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Rape, and Infidelity
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Death and Cancer
absolute_bookery's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Cancer
brookac's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Death
jasminelk7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
Minor: Cancer
sophie5212's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cancer and Rape
bellarosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Incest, and Infidelity
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Suicide
Minor: Terminal illness and Cancer
ellljayyy's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Infidelity, Incest, Death, Self harm, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Cancer, and Mental illness
isabezza's review against another edition
3.75
Knowledge can be power, but it can also be poison.
There is no such thing as unforgivable between people who love each other. But even as I'm thinking it, I know it's not really true.
Although the ending of this book was a little underwhelming, this captures the nature of this book, demonstrating that whatever we do (or do not do), life continues. Set in a cycle of summers and the Paper Palace, we follow our protagonist as she describes her family, their flaws and losses; as she reflects on her traumatic past.
I wonder if he would love me if he could see inside my head - the pettiness, the dirty linen of my thoughts, the terrible things I have done.
I did not find this book as gripping, powerful, or 'lifechanging' as I had hoped, but would recommend to someone who enjoys a similar writing style.
The passage of time bought only a messy tangle of branches, marking my failure to heal.
Graphic: Rape, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Child death
Moderate: Cancer, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Suicide, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity