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thesecretbookclub's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very sad, but very worthwhile. It almost feels like a stream of consciousness type novel but with still a little bit of structure to it. I also liked the references to medieval poetry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicide, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death
nialiversuch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
emziesreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I'm glad that the Booker longlisting of Pearl brought this Ali Smith-like meditation of the longlasting impact of grief. It's not the first book about an absent mother but it is one of the better ones. That being said, I'm not convinced that it is 1 of the 13 best books this year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
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