Reviews

Beautiful poetic writing throughout. At times excellently captures what it is like living with depression. However like some of the other reviewers have mentioned, sometimes the dialogue felt ‘cringey’ and, for me, it ended too abruptly without explaining so many things. I was so invested but I’m left not sure why and how certain things happened at the end (perhaps that is the point, but I felt it could have been more poignant if certain parts of the journey were explored further). I wouldn’t read this if you are currently in a dark place.
I did however enjoy how the story moves from past to present and the authors style of writing.

mmingie's review against another edition

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3.0

The book was good, but the author loves the word "lugubrious" a suspicious amount. Like you know when you learn a new word and try to work it into conversations so it sticks in your brain? It felt like that.
Quick read, interesting but a lot felt missing, or glossed over, especially towards the end. It was rushed more than quick perhaps

ashleycmms's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

lscheibal's review against another edition

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3.0

I had been really looking forward to this book, especially since the description said it was similar to A Man Called Ove. Although I didn’t get that similarity, I did feel like this was a book I had already read. From the first few chapters I knew how it would end, even if at the end, I felt that the financial logistics ended up not making sense.

It was a nice story, but it was on the dull side.

bukolayemi's review against another edition

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inspiring 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

4.75

The Selfless Act of Breathing

By JJ Bola

With the opening line “I quit my job, I am taking my life savings - $9,021 - and when it runs out, I am going to kill myself.” JJ Bola had me captivated from the beginning.

Michael is a young Black man living in London, he is originally from Congo. Michael is successful and loved but slighted unhinged, he does not feel he belongs on this earth and is determined to end it all.

But first, travel! Michael is trying to transit borders both in body and soul. Physically he is going to America to enjoy his last days.

The story goes back and forth between The States and London. All the while, his life savings is being counted down, is this the value of his life? The sum of his life?

While in London, he teaches young boys. Has a chance to influence and guide them. He has a mother who loves and cares for him and he has friends and a love interest.

I loved the beautiful prose, the lyrical nature of the writing. The play on words that is the title and the message in this book. The twists at the end got me screaming “wait, what?”

I love literary fiction. I love books by poets. There are poems and letters in this book as well and lots of beautiful sentences. I’ll share a couple with you.

“So, this is what love is, to be burdened yet weightless, to be bound yet free.”

“If love is a field, then romance is the rain that grows the flowers.”

lilirosemb's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

isabella_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

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