Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

77 reviews

ewottrich's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Suicide, Car accident, and Abandonment

Minor: Miscarriage

acethirtynine's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

This was a recommendation from a friend and I wasn't sure what to expect. The only thing I knew about it was that it was written by the same author as Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow which I loved. 

The structure of the novel, which includes brief notes about various short stories ahead of each chapter was enjoyable and I really liked getting to know the characters. Not only was it fun to see all of the different short stories, but because the titular character is a bookseller, it is truly a love story about books and reading and the impact of literature (in all forms and genres) on people and relationships. 

The portrayals of grief resonated in the varied way it was expressed by characters. Gave me House By The Cerulean Sea vibes, but heavier. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Suicide, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: Infidelity

dazzy's review against another edition

lighthearted 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

4.0

Cosy read

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Drug use

hp62442's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, and Abandonment

quasinaut's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

Sometimes heart wrenching, often funny, occasionally profound with such quotes as "He is too young to like so little" and "In the end, we are collected works."

It mostly worked for me that most of the time it was A.J.'s POV, but sometimes we saw from Ismay or Lambiase or Amelia - but honestly, these moments with other characters just made me want more from them (and perhaps less from A.J. especially when he was at his prickliest). And yet the book also underscored that even the prickliest amongst us needs to find their people, their friends and chosen family. 

I briefly started this book a few years ago and bounced off of it, but I'm glad to have read and finished it now.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Suicide

_kathill's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, and Abandonment

rachel101's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, and Alcohol

courtsport's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

A sweet and heartfelt read. Fans of A Man Called Ove will enjoy this one.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Abandonment

clstrifes's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Minor: Gun violence and Vomit

alisylvi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Abandonment

Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, and Car accident

Minor: Racial slurs and Death of parent