katewhite77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
A meditation on womanhood at various stages
This book has so many narrative strands and forms that I was never bored.
I was reminded about how painful teenagehood can be and how in old age loss becomes a way of life. The older we get, the more regrets we can have, but only if we choose to see them as such. Marriage and partnership is hard. A change is sometimes as good as a rest.
These are just some things I took away from this sardonic novel.
This book has so many narrative strands and forms that I was never bored.
I was reminded about how painful teenagehood can be and how in old age loss becomes a way of life. The older we get, the more regrets we can have, but only if we choose to see them as such. Marriage and partnership is hard. A change is sometimes as good as a rest.
These are just some things I took away from this sardonic novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Suicide
Minor: Self harm and Domestic abuse
sofiajearally's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book wasn't all that bad but it was soooo long. Even though the second half of it is interesting enough, the first half is just boring exposition and I would have stopped reading if I didn't have a finish-the-book-no-matter-what policy. It's a shame, because the author has thought-provoking reflections on the nature of femininity and masculinity, aging, youth... The format didn't work for me; as the book is neither plot-driven nor character-driven - talking about the characters, they felt flat to me, except for some of the teenage girls and Lola. Overall, I think it would have worked better as an essay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Dementia and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder
nikolajsen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
aaolker's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book has beautiful writing, but I found it difficult to keep interested. I couldn’t keep track of all the characters even though they were given great descriptors. The story only picks up about two thirds of the way through which is noted by the text. The lack of chapters was also hard for me. But I must stress again the beauty of the writing. The feel is kind of flow of consciousness, and the paintings of the words is very well done.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
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