socoolfr's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
eilidhreads's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
abbie_al2001's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hafeza_libary's review against another edition
1.0
I liked the book but it got to a point where we got tired of the book it look a long time to Read . Will not recommend.it had a good message but u feel as though it didn't get across well
juliette_d_03's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ps_a22's review against another edition
4.0
Clever title. I like how well it conveys the idea of humans being predictable and unpredictable in this cool, weird way.
Now onto Olive's experience: I realised I was so fascinated with her obsessions. It was obvious that she was manic and I found myself pitying her when she felt so euphoric. I genuinely felt bad for her because her happiness and joy was all pretence.
I liked reading about her mood swings, about her obsessions and thought process. It was nice getting in someone else's head.
The ending was also sad, but I liked the hint of hope. Hope that Things will be better.
Now onto Olive's experience: I realised I was so fascinated with her obsessions. It was obvious that she was manic and I found myself pitying her when she felt so euphoric. I genuinely felt bad for her because her happiness and joy was all pretence.
I liked reading about her mood swings, about her obsessions and thought process. It was nice getting in someone else's head.
The ending was also sad, but I liked the hint of hope. Hope that Things will be better.
chronicallyhanreads'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
carolinesreads's review against another edition
4.0
I love how Holly Bourne writes about the real parts of mental illnesses. And I like that it didn’t end with them being cured, because the reality is you learn to cope with it ❤️
notlikethebeer's review against another edition
4.0
This is not an easy book to read! Bourne has an incredible skill for writing very very realistic and absorbing books about mental health, which can be very triggering- so be aware that this book comes with a particularly strong content note for mania, depression and self-hatred, as well as content notes for pretty much everything else in the world of mental health and trauma, particularly self-harm, sui, child abuse, OCD, disordered eating, destructive behaviour (including mania-related promiscuity and substance abuse) and intrusive obsessive thoughts. I really can't underemphasise how much Bourne's writing can almost suck you in, so please do read her books- and this book in particular- with caution.
Although that sounds like a warning to steer clear, it's really not! If you feel able, I would highly recommend this book, in particular to those who have not experienced the highs and lows of mental illness, as the way that Bourne writes is beyond insightful in that respect (although, of course, it's only one experience and not indicative of all experiences). In Lemmings and Snowflakes she also tackles some parts of mental illness- in particular, bipolar- that are often seen as too taboo.
I also really really liked that this book dealt with the difficult conflict in mental illness of accepting both responsibility and lack of blame. It's something that I struggle a lot with in my own life, so it was nice to see it so well handled in fiction.
That's not to say that this book is at all perfect, some of the characters were less well-developed than others, and some elements of the plot- like the 'kindness virus' felt a little shoe-horned in, and I think it would have benefited from being longer! On a personal note it would have been nice to have seen the portrayal and handling of OCD/pure O as taking on things a little more stigmatised/taboo?
Also, it should be noted that this is only partially an #ownvoices review- although I have a fun (/s) range of mental illnesses and symptoms (including OCD/query pure O, depression and a tendency towards periods of slight mania, all of which inform this review), I do not have bipolar, so cannot strictly speak on exact representation of this.
Overall, a difficult but important read.
Although that sounds like a warning to steer clear, it's really not! If you feel able, I would highly recommend this book, in particular to those who have not experienced the highs and lows of mental illness, as the way that Bourne writes is beyond insightful in that respect (although, of course, it's only one experience and not indicative of all experiences). In Lemmings and Snowflakes she also tackles some parts of mental illness- in particular, bipolar- that are often seen as too taboo.
I also really really liked that this book dealt with the difficult conflict in mental illness of accepting both responsibility and lack of blame. It's something that I struggle a lot with in my own life, so it was nice to see it so well handled in fiction.
That's not to say that this book is at all perfect, some of the characters were less well-developed than others, and some elements of the plot- like the 'kindness virus' felt a little shoe-horned in, and I think it would have benefited from being longer! On a personal note it would have been nice to have seen the portrayal and handling of OCD/pure O as taking on things a little more stigmatised/taboo?
Also, it should be noted that this is only partially an #ownvoices review- although I have a fun (/s) range of mental illnesses and symptoms (including OCD/query pure O, depression and a tendency towards periods of slight mania, all of which inform this review), I do not have bipolar, so cannot strictly speak on exact representation of this.
Overall, a difficult but important read.