Reviews

I got this book through a subscription service so I had no prior knowledge of it or the author. I read the whole book on a flight. Family trauma done well.

acblastin's review against another edition

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3.0

I love the intent and respect the title choice for the book. These are a series of ordinary human failings that echoes the dysfunctional bits of family. It’s relatable and because of that i want so much more from Lucy and John’s perspective. GIVE ME MOREEEEEE

jknoxwhite's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

Surprised how much I loved this book about such deep, dark sadness. Crisply written, capturing what feels like real people with real stories, ordinary people dealing with extraordinary things.

Also a meditation on how quickly or media and social narratives work to quickly gel and define situations before much is known, driven by people with things to gain, egos to burnish, and pretty local gossip.

totebagslag's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

3.75

jaclyncrupi's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved this nuanced multi-voice portrait of a family in crisis and its examination of class and societal bias. It’s decidedly and distinctly Irish and I’d argue that Irish writers are the best in the world at exactly this kind of book. I’ll be shocked if it’s not on the @womensprize fiction shortlist. Lucy and her family live inside me now. It’s a huge recommend from me.

scottmacdonald98's review against another edition

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3.0

Left me a bit cold, maybe a victim of me reading too many similar books recently. Plot contraption with newspaper journo doesn't really go anywhere major.

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