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mscarbie's review against another edition
3.0
oh man I really wanted to love this book, it was a strong debut in terms of the writing, it constantly kept me hooked.
but Mary MY GAWD WOMAN, she was so woe is me, the whole world revolved around her. I’ve never felt so irritated over a book where the main character can’t communicate her feelingsss
but Mary MY GAWD WOMAN, she was so woe is me, the whole world revolved around her. I’ve never felt so irritated over a book where the main character can’t communicate her feelingsss
edwina's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
horsley123's review
3.0
A book of two halves for me. I enjoyed the first part of the tale - the teen pregnancy, her shock at how her family treated her, her unexpected love for her child and the farming life. Although I grew up in England I have memories of the bombings and it was interesting to read the list of atrocities. It seems incredible that we were so accepting of yet another bomb, and lived with it so as a teenager I would go into London with my poor mother waiting at home hoping I was OK.
On the other hand I found Mary's later life deeply frustrating. Surely she could see some positives in her situation - she so deeply loved her children it must have taken a great deal of effort to hold a grudge that long. I did not really understand why she was so unable to visit her husband when he needed her. So for the second half of the book I wanted Mary to buck up and stop wallowing. At the final resolution I was not sure that she deserved it as she had been so wet beforehand!
On the other hand I found Mary's later life deeply frustrating. Surely she could see some positives in her situation - she so deeply loved her children it must have taken a great deal of effort to hold a grudge that long. I did not really understand why she was so unable to visit her husband when he needed her. So for the second half of the book I wanted Mary to buck up and stop wallowing. At the final resolution I was not sure that she deserved it as she had been so wet beforehand!
paradise_library's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book that had all the promise of a five star read…
It starts off well as we follow Mary throughout her childhood in Ireland during the troubles. Living with an abusive mother and weak father, Mary has plans to escape and she’s on the right track with good grades and ambition. This part is really interesting and beautifully captured; told through scraped knees, biscuits and dreams, we see the world through the young girl’s eyes. Delaney’s choice of words provides us with humour and heartbreak.
However, the book then loses its way a little bit and becomes the same story we’ve heard many times before. After a fleeting moment of intimacy with a man, Mary finds herself pregnant at 16. How original. Her mother forces her to marry the ‘boy next door’ to avoid a life of shame and before we know it, Mary is stuck.
It might seem odd that John would agree to marry a ‘fallen’ woman, but even before Mary is pregnant, there’s a hint of attraction, although their marriage is a strange one. Perhaps it’s the religious upbringing, but for two people who become physically intimate so often, you’d expect a few more conversations! While the troubles are referred to fairly often, they are very much in the background; I was also surprised that Mary and her father managed to form some sort of relationship, considering how he behaved throughout their childhood.
The latter chapters are still well-written, but adult Mary isn’t as engaging or interesting. The book actually gets quite repetitive, so it’s a slow slog, which is a shame as the first half really is a stunning piece of prose.
A strong debut that is beautifully crafted, but let down by its second half.
I was provided with a copy by Penguin Books and Random Things Tours. All opinions my own.
It starts off well as we follow Mary throughout her childhood in Ireland during the troubles. Living with an abusive mother and weak father, Mary has plans to escape and she’s on the right track with good grades and ambition. This part is really interesting and beautifully captured; told through scraped knees, biscuits and dreams, we see the world through the young girl’s eyes. Delaney’s choice of words provides us with humour and heartbreak.
However, the book then loses its way a little bit and becomes the same story we’ve heard many times before. After a fleeting moment of intimacy with a man, Mary finds herself pregnant at 16. How original. Her mother forces her to marry the ‘boy next door’ to avoid a life of shame and before we know it, Mary is stuck.
It might seem odd that John would agree to marry a ‘fallen’ woman, but even before Mary is pregnant, there’s a hint of attraction, although their marriage is a strange one. Perhaps it’s the religious upbringing, but for two people who become physically intimate so often, you’d expect a few more conversations! While the troubles are referred to fairly often, they are very much in the background; I was also surprised that Mary and her father managed to form some sort of relationship, considering how he behaved throughout their childhood.
The latter chapters are still well-written, but adult Mary isn’t as engaging or interesting. The book actually gets quite repetitive, so it’s a slow slog, which is a shame as the first half really is a stunning piece of prose.
A strong debut that is beautifully crafted, but let down by its second half.
I was provided with a copy by Penguin Books and Random Things Tours. All opinions my own.
issy_jacob's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
mags_93_'s review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely beautiful. Great story of mother daughter relations, friendship, love lost and found. Fantastic, heart moving novel.
ninahulme's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
4.5
bbratmafia's review
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
literamoi's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
sarahdmt's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
On a envie que ça se passe autrement, on a envie que ça se passe comme dans une histoire. Mais ça se passe comme dans la vraie vie, celle où on ne dit pas tout, celle où on aime et où on éprouve du ressentiment en même temps, celle où la famille peut être un poids qu'on traîne pour toujours, celle où rien n'est absolu et où tout est nuancé.