lunar's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
hollabills8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This book felt very metaphorical yet literal. It had a lot of things I think I’ll look back on in the future and I loved the writing style it felt like something Kendra would write. I thought the concept was really good and the way it was told held me in and I felt a lot of things I also thought the miscarriage scene and friendship was very moving
parisakamali's review against another edition
3.0
a love (?) story told in reverse
at first i wasn't so sure about the writing style but i found myself absorbed with the direction and voice of the story that it did not matter much to me anymore and i got used to it. sometimes i forgot that it was told in reverse and thought i was reading a collection of short stories. each chapter told its own story and so sometimes i had to recall what happened before that, but it was all good. my favorite chapter was Canadian Geese because it read like the author enjoyed writing it—a love letter to Ireland at the heart of it. i also liked Le Petit Mort because, well, ofc i do.
i liked the unique experience this novel gave me. the entire book would not have worked had it been structured in a conventional way. so i think it's a good novel. unqiuely told AND it's got that Irish signature of capturing the human condition so well. i liked this!
at first i wasn't so sure about the writing style but i found myself absorbed with the direction and voice of the story that it did not matter much to me anymore and i got used to it. sometimes i forgot that it was told in reverse and thought i was reading a collection of short stories. each chapter told its own story and so sometimes i had to recall what happened before that, but it was all good. my favorite chapter was Canadian Geese because it read like the author enjoyed writing it—a love letter to Ireland at the heart of it. i also liked Le Petit Mort because, well, ofc i do.
i liked the unique experience this novel gave me. the entire book would not have worked had it been structured in a conventional way. so i think it's a good novel. unqiuely told AND it's got that Irish signature of capturing the human condition so well. i liked this!
amber_c4's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
emilysbookshelf7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lidwien_d's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - would recommend
This book dealt with mental health, trauma, abuse, break-ups and family relations in a really good way. It had some really funny and sweet moments but also some really sad or difficult moments. I really enjoyed this book and it was an easy read but I didn't feel a strong emotional connection to it. I do love the nuances of a relationship and its ending. The way this is written, by following the relationship in reverse, you really get to experience the good and the bad moments with the characters. And, although they did not remain together, you can see how the main characters helped each other and did at some point love each other.
This book dealt with mental health, trauma, abuse, break-ups and family relations in a really good way. It had some really funny and sweet moments but also some really sad or difficult moments. I really enjoyed this book and it was an easy read but I didn't feel a strong emotional connection to it. I do love the nuances of a relationship and its ending. The way this is written, by following the relationship in reverse, you really get to experience the good and the bad moments with the characters. And, although they did not remain together, you can see how the main characters helped each other and did at some point love each other.
dadzpeach's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Incest and Sexual assault
shelvedliterature's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
__karin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0