Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

35 reviews

revengesrose's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

This book, while such a good read, is also a super hard read. I recommend to only read this book in a good headspace, because it is very heavy and definitely not for everyone.

But it was for me amazingly. There are elements of hope and light in the darkness, such as found family and supportive friends. There is also very deep complex trauma and family relationships in this book, and the entirety of the effects and messy healing process are not concealed or tied in a pretty bow. We get the real, raw deal in this book. Not a lighthearted read, but a real read with a lot of depth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment

_bailey_reads_'s review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

This book impressed me with its ability to get mental illness right. I’ve read so many books about mentally I’ll characters who go to therapy and i always feel like they never are able to encapsulate the true experience. 

Also I can tell the author of this book did their research on what a therapist is actually like or has actually been to therapy themselves. It was refreshing to read a book where the therapist actually gave the character sound advice and there was an actual relationship and bond formed between therapist and client. 

The overall story was well written, Meredith is a complicated character and who is deeply struggling. I found myself really relating to her. I think she’s a character that would be difficult for people to relate to if they have little to no experience with severe anxiety or depression. I was rooting for her from beginning to end. Her journey is not an easy one and as the story unfolds more and more is revealed about Meredith and why she is the way she is. 

I really recommend this to anyone suffering from severe anxiety or depression. Anyone who feels hopeless and like life is not going to get better. This book made me feel less alone and gave me some hope that I will get through the difficult times!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Body horror, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

king_rune's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

dekedescombes's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Self harm

Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

mkwreads's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

melissa_b_67's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

acarballo's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma

Minor: Death of parent

ayanez427's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Self harm and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

okiecozyreader's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Interestingly, this book is similar to Burst, which I recently finished. Both are about a main character and her difficult relationship with her mother. They both deal with difficult topics and kind of end in somewhat similar ways.

This one however, also focuses on the relationship between sisters, in this complicated and kind of ugly family dynamic. Their mom is abusive and her sister is in a relationship with an abusive guy, who also abuses her. When that dynamic comes to an awful point, Meredith basically locks herself in her home, in which she hasn’t left for over 1000 days. Fortunately, she has a good friend who regularly checks on her. She is also curious about herself and her past, and is willing to make steps to move forward.

With found family and many likable characters, it makes this book with some difficult topics, very likable ones itself. It takes place in Glasgow and the area in which she lives is almost a character unto itself. I couldn’t stop thinking about Meredith. My mind would check on her throughout the day. She is a very unique and interesting character - likable even though she is living very much alone.

“Sometimes people don’t point out the obvious.” Day 1222

“…she manages to get a photo of me looking like a normal, fun-loving forty-year-old woman who might not be living her best life but is trying her hardest.” Day 1392

“Before we leave, I stare at her face, trying to find a tiny piece of love.” Day 1446

“I’ve always been interested in the distinction between loneliness and being alone.” Author Q&A

“To quote Virginia Woolf, “In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” The Joy of Being Alone

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Cancer