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theinstabookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
First and foremost, if you have been impacted by suicide, approach this book with caution, or maybe skip it.
I've had this book on my shelf for a year and a half. I got in in my Book of the Month box the same month Stephen 'tWitch' Boss died by suicide, but it was too soon to read it then. I've tried to pick it up a few times over the past 18 months, but it's never been the right time. Until now, I guess.
Although I've never lost someone to suicide, I have lost a loved one young (20s) suddenly and unexpectedly. The way Eve's family and friends wanted to be sympathetic, but didn't truly understand her grief, was accurate to when someone dies young. I've also seen how relatives can act like Quentin's mother did and place blame and then how messy things can get when trying to go through the legal process. Grief makes people act in unpredictable ways.
This story was confronting and detailed. The way Quentin took his own life was never specified, but it is alluded to later in the book and the author doesn't hold back. The way feelings of guilt and shame were described added another layer to this story because I think loved ones do blame themselves for missing the signs that their person was struggling. For the most part, I loved Eve's family and friends because even though they didn't understand what she was going through, they still showed up for her in their imperfect, yet consistent, ways.
I regretted that I didn't annotate this from the beginning and have gone back and annotated the lines and quotes that spoke to me. The writing throughout this whole book was beautiful. I'm glad I finally picked this up and stuck with it.
I've had this book on my shelf for a year and a half. I got in in my Book of the Month box the same month Stephen 'tWitch' Boss died by suicide, but it was too soon to read it then. I've tried to pick it up a few times over the past 18 months, but it's never been the right time. Until now, I guess.
Although I've never lost someone to suicide, I have lost a loved one young (20s) suddenly and unexpectedly. The way Eve's family and friends wanted to be sympathetic, but didn't truly understand her grief, was accurate to when someone dies young. I've also seen how relatives can act like Quentin's mother did and place blame and then how messy things can get when trying to go through the legal process. Grief makes people act in unpredictable ways.
This story was confronting and detailed. The way Quentin took his own life was never specified, but it is alluded to later in the book and the author doesn't hold back. The way feelings of guilt and shame were described added another layer to this story because I think loved ones do blame themselves for missing the signs that their person was struggling. For the most part, I loved Eve's family and friends because even though they didn't understand what she was going through, they still showed up for her in their imperfect, yet consistent, ways.
I regretted that I didn't annotate this from the beginning and have gone back and annotated the lines and quotes that spoke to me. The writing throughout this whole book was beautiful. I'm glad I finally picked this up and stuck with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Blood, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Car accident