Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

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

139 reviews

mj_86's review against another edition

hopeful 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Car accident

Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Suicide

Minor: Alcoholism, Infertility, and Vomit

amgarrido's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Death

Moderate: Suicide

cmcowentx's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Abandonment

glitterdeww's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad fast-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

4.5

"Sometimes books don't find us until the right time." ... Oof. Lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Suicide, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death and Miscarriage

booksgoodformysoul's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Suicide, and Car accident

hidivamd71's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent

sam_the_panda's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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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Content Warnings

Minor: Cancer, Suicide, and Death of parent

gavinn_h's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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? No

5.0

Okay so,

What the fuck is wrong with Gabrielle Zevin.  This book was absolutely beautiful, however I don't know if I would ever have picked it up knowing the ending.  Despite the horrifically sad events in this book, it is incredible.  I had a feeling things were going too well for it to end happy, but I didn't think it would be like this.  The sick irony of it all is that my book club picked this book for our "happy ending" prompt.  Although I can see how this is, in fact, a happy ending I was just so attached to A.J. to feel happy.  Overall I am so happy to have found this book, it quickly made its way in to my top books of all time (thus far).  I believe later (much later) after I have nursed my wounds I will return to this book again and again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Death

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcoholism

sabrinaapreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is giving The House of Cerulean Sea vibes in the best way! Curmudgeon, found family and a little darkness. I wholeheartedly consumed The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and loved the structure, the story, the lovable/fallible main character, supporting roles, the twist, all of IT.
Important to note: this book was written first.
🙌🏼 Praise Zevin 🙌🏼.


Favorite Character:
This one was tough - so many amazingly complex characters to LOVE.
For now, I'll say it's Amelia. Her commitment to being her true/authentic self is remarkable. She vibrantly jumps from the page. I too, want some daisy flip flops (among other things). She is joie de vivre!! 🌼

Favorite Moment:
Again, so difficult - I will say this without spoiling anything - the TWIST reveal. I didn't see it coming in any way, shape or form, although there was something always nagging me and in retrospect, there were definitely elements of foreshadowing. Gosh, this book is SO GOOD. 👀

Final Thoughts:
Zevin writes with a nostalgic tone and at an easy to read pace.
This novel, at it's heart, has a message of 💗LOVE 💗and for that, I'm always down to read, praise and rejoice in every word!! AMEN!! 🙏🏼 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Grief, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Abandonment

All of the above content warnings are handled with care and consideration by the author. This sensitive reader was able to enjoy the novel with ease.

libcolleen's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer

My father died from a brain tumor. I now viscerally understand what trigger warnings are for.