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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
rhubarbpi3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.75
I liked this book much more than I thought I would, but the pacing was inconsistent, the writing felt fan fiction-y at times, and I wish that it hadn’t felt so locked up in Eve’s head. The dialogue was also generally stilted. I thought the questions it brought up were interesting, however.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
badmom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Simply put - this is a deeply beautiful account of the vast range of emotional reactions to suicide, and the disparate forms love & support & grief might take. Our narrator is understandably distraught over her husband’s death; his mother’s response, extreme in its ugly vindictiveness, is also shown to be understandable, in a way. Everyone in Q’s orbit is shaken by his death but shows their sorrow in different ways, leaving his widow feeling even more unmoored as she tries (or doesn’t) to find a path forward.
We are treated to the sweet and sometimes bittersweet history of this couple and with that we see the unfolding of characters that reveals layers of relationships. Nwabineli’s writing is subtly astute in the ways it shows growth in even the slightest of characters - she makes us notice everyone and compels us consider their stories within our own stories while allowing connections we might otherwise resist.
We are treated to the sweet and sometimes bittersweet history of this couple and with that we see the unfolding of characters that reveals layers of relationships. Nwabineli’s writing is subtly astute in the ways it shows growth in even the slightest of characters - she makes us notice everyone and compels us consider their stories within our own stories while allowing connections we might otherwise resist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Vomit, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
wlreed312's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.0
I really enjoyed this, but it was very rough in places. Watching Eve go through her grief for her husband who committed suicide is real and heartbreaking. The emotions displayed are raw and honest, and I loved Eve's family (especially Junior). I think the journey she goes on is something anyone who has grieved a love one can relate to, even if the circumstances of the death the reader experienced is totally different than Eve's loss. I do wish Q's depression had been slightly more fleshed out. The anger that Eve and her family express is understandable, but it would have been nice to have a secondary character talk a bit more about mental illness. As someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation for the majority of my life, it was hard to see that anger directed at a character who we don't know much about how long he had been fighting to stay. Again, I do think the anger is understandable, and I know how much anger is a part of grief. The book is incredibly strong, that was the only area I thought could have been a bit better. Excellent debut, but definitely take care when reading, especially if stories dealing with grief are hard for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
Moderate: Racism and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
ukponge's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
lauren_shilling's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book took me much longer to read than a book I would normally rate five stars, but honestly, this is definitely a new favorite of mine. It was so heartbreaking, but also such an honest portrayal of grief, especially the kind of grief the main character is experiencing. It was hard-hitting and absolutely stunningly written. The exploration of grief, the healing process, and everything the characters felt and did were so incredibly well done. I don't really know what else to say about this book except the fact that I think everyone should read this book (unless the subject matter is triggering to you) because of how honest and raw it is. Nothing is glossed over, and everything is fully thought out and explored to the depth it should be, no more and no less. You will feel for the main character the whole way through, but you will also feel for and understand the people around her. It is just a stunning book, and it is so heartbreaking. It is one of the best written and well-handled books I have ever read. This is almost definitely going to make it into my top 15 of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Blood, Abortion, and Death of parent
This book is so heavy on trigger warnings, and they are expressed in detail. However, they are handled incredibly well in this book, but still be aware of them going into it, please! It's a beautiful book, but please do not read it if you are triggered by any of the content!tharumi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Blood
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
soobooksalot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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
Someday, Maybe is an amazing debut from Onyi Nwabineli.
Eve has lost her beloved husband, Quentin, to suicide. She found him. There was no note.
We are taken through her agony and grief, and get to know her family and friends as they struggle to keep her above water.
Eve goes through all the reactions from missing Q, to feeling abandoned and guilty for not knowing the "why", and reminiscing about their life together. All the while dealing with one of the more contentious inlaw relationships put to page.
"Closure is not promised. It is a gift, and my husband chose to keep it from me."
Despite the subject matter, Someday, Maybe is also darkly wry.
It's also a look into the different cultures that made up Eve and Quentin's relationship, with Eve's close-knit Nigerian family contrasting Quentin's aloof and unsupportive dynamic.
To sum up, Nwabineli's writing feels absolutely effortless and the characters are brilliantly created. So pleased to have made this my first BOTM pick. Recommended!
Eve has lost her beloved husband, Quentin, to suicide. She found him. There was no note.
We are taken through her agony and grief, and get to know her family and friends as they struggle to keep her above water.
Eve goes through all the reactions from missing Q, to feeling abandoned and guilty for not knowing the "why", and reminiscing about their life together. All the while dealing with one of the more contentious inlaw relationships put to page.
"Closure is not promised. It is a gift, and my husband chose to keep it from me."
Despite the subject matter, Someday, Maybe is also darkly wry.
It's also a look into the different cultures that made up Eve and Quentin's relationship, with Eve's close-knit Nigerian family contrasting Quentin's aloof and unsupportive dynamic.
To sum up, Nwabineli's writing feels absolutely effortless and the characters are brilliantly created. So pleased to have made this my first BOTM pick. Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
emotional
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
Here are three things you should know about this book:
- It will emotionally eviscerate you
- It is an absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching portrayal of grief
- The love of this family is endless
And one thing you should know about me
- I read this whole thing in less than a week
bonus fact: No, I am not okay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Deeply moving and terribly sad. This book displays the rawness of grief in a stunning and real way. The peeks into Nigerian culture were fascinating and gave the novel depth it wouldn’t otherwise have. The author brings truth and honesty to the characters brilliantly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism