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malloryballory's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
huntingforagoodread's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What did I just read? I went into this book thinking it was going to be suicidal, then changed my mind and I’m like “okay, she’s going to break up with her boyfriend”. But the entire premise was confusing as all get out.
Why don’t we learn her name throughout the book? Who is the mysterious Caller? Why does Jake leave her in the car? Does Jake unalive himself at the end or WTH is going on?
I will be watching the Netflix adaptation just so I can hopefully get a better understanding of what I just read.
UPDATE: I watched the Netflix adaptation and I think I have a better understanding of what’s happening in this entire book and I’m updating my rating to a 4 star. I think this is a book that might need multiple rereads for the reader to really understand what is going on.
One- I think the woman in the novel isn’t real. I think she’s a figment of Jake’s imagination, which is why toward the end of the book the narrator (who has been the woman up until now) starts to refer to themselves as “we” instead of “I”. There’s commentary mixed in every few chapters that seem to be following the death of someone.. and I think it was Jake. It’s hard to explain without reading it yourself, and the movie may or may not help you but I think the authors ultimate goal was to showcase depression and loneliness, especially as we age and grow to have regrets about what our lives could have been like.
Please note, this is not a light hearted, easy read. It can be very triggering and as someone with depression myself, it was a very tense read. Please be cautious going into the book and/or the movie and remember that your mental health matters.
Why don’t we learn her name throughout the book? Who is the mysterious Caller? Why does Jake leave her in the car? Does Jake unalive himself at the end or WTH is going on?
I will be watching the Netflix adaptation just so I can hopefully get a better understanding of what I just read.
UPDATE: I watched the Netflix adaptation and I think I have a better understanding of what’s happening in this entire book and I’m updating my rating to a 4 star. I think this is a book that might need multiple rereads for the reader to really understand what is going on.
One- I think the woman in the novel isn’t real. I think she’s a figment of Jake’s imagination, which is why toward the end of the book the narrator (who has been the woman up until now) starts to refer to themselves as “we” instead of “I”. There’s commentary mixed in every few chapters that seem to be following the death of someone.. and I think it was Jake. It’s hard to explain without reading it yourself, and the movie may or may not help you but I think the authors ultimate goal was to showcase depression and loneliness, especially as we age and grow to have regrets about what our lives could have been like.
Please note, this is not a light hearted, easy read. It can be very triggering and as someone with depression myself, it was a very tense read. Please be cautious going into the book and/or the movie and remember that your mental health matters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
thebakafied's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
moonlitowl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
5.0
This book was wild, in all the ways I like. I had seen the film a few years ago and I still found the story incredibly tense and heartbreaking. Highly recommend if you like books that bend reality in a way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
caseystar's review
dark
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
trip2reverie's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal death and Blood
katcell's review
dark
mysterious
sad
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
anyoung9's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
conniemarch's review
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I alternated between the audiobook and the ebook when reading this – the narrator's performance was incredible, but I think some context is missed when listening to it.
The book was very well written and I think I enjoyed it more having already seen the movie. The way the authoradds clues to the ending throughout the whole book is fantastic.
One caveat: if you're struggling with your mental health, I would not recommend this book at all.
The book was very well written and I think I enjoyed it more having already seen the movie. The way the author
One caveat: if you're struggling with your mental health, I would not recommend this book at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
planky's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have no idea what I just read, but it was enjoyable enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts