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isabezza's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I was recommended this book as "one to read in the sun" by a close friend who shares my interest in emotional, reflective reads. Miranda Cowley Heller writes a powerful monologue on motherhood and living with multiple forms of trauma. This novel is a difficult read, but one which inspires the importance of the people around us, and encourages us to question who we love and what we would do for them.
Knowledge can be power, but it can also be poison.
There is no such thing as unforgivable between people who love each other. But even as I'm thinking it, I know it's not really true.
Although the ending of this book was a little underwhelming, this captures the nature of this book, demonstrating that whatever we do (or do not do), life continues. Set in a cycle of summers and the Paper Palace, we follow our protagonist as she describes her family, their flaws and losses; as she reflects on her traumatic past.
I wonder if he would love me if he could see inside my head - the pettiness, the dirty linen of my thoughts, the terrible things I have done.
I did not find this book as gripping, powerful, or 'lifechanging' as I had hoped, but would recommend to someone who enjoys a similar writing style.
The passage of time bought only a messy tangle of branches, marking my failure to heal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicide, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail