nzmerchant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Spoiler
in addition to her finally accurate diagnosis was the harsh reality presented by her family members. And her ability to take her ego down a notch and make amends.Graphic: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Miscarriage
mraybennett's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
alishamegan's review against another edition
- 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
Also, I just got the ick about the husband being supposedly jokingly passive aggressive in public about the wife (not) taking his last name, and her initially being like no and then saying yes after like 2 seconds (which we were told she does with several people because she can be easily influenced to change her mind and does not like things like that being decided for her or happening to her in public e.g. a proposal). If he is such an amazing husband and man throughout the book, this seemed like a weird thing he would just do or express he wanted in the way that he did or at all in fact (because, like, you don't own someone just because you married them?)
Oh and also, ngl this book is kinda amazing in a wow this protagonist is super lucky way, which tbf the book acknowledges in the end, because her short comings and her relying so much on her husband and other people and not having any career, no job sometimes, no assets or her own money, and relying on family or some rich old gay father figure's house in paris that she lived in for free and she met through work, would have put her in prime position to be taken advantage of and fallen on hard times, and have a male partner totally not like the one she has in the book. Even the ex isn't completely as bad as your usual arsehole ex in pop culture, literature, media, or from any ex story you here in real life. If it was supposed to be kinda a fever dream, that's totally cool and it's nice tbh, like I wouldn't have a read a book full of trauma (in that way) anyways. So what am I saying? Hmm it's sorta not that kind of realistic, but then that's not a negative you just gotta go with it even though you're like hmm this is totally convenient and lucky for the protagonist and maybbeee wouldn't actually happen in real life probably. But that's the magic of fiction right?
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse
paperback_whiplash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Domestic abuse
thestarlessmaisie's review against another edition
5.0
Martha is a dry, witty narrator. Her story is cyclical in how you enter the story with a sense of doom and come away, having learned about all her experiences throughout adulthood and her battle with mental health, with both a sigh of relief and a breath of fresh air.
The chapters are short, Mason’s writing to the point but elegant. My favourite parts were seeing Martha’s relationships with her family, how different each one was. Martha: I have been loved every day of my adult life. I wouldn’t have gotten through the story without that love.
Definitely check trigger warnings and take the read at your own pace <3
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicidal thoughts
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
the ending was amazing though
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, and Grief
zara89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Chronic illness, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Abortion, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and Suicide
erin_forgie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I only really felt the bliss after
Spoiler
Martha’s diagnosisIt really delves into the sorrow straight away, so be prepared to feel a bit emotional.
It had all the correct ingredients for a 5 star, just something was missing and I’m not quite sure why. I think maybe it was the writing style, I just sometimes found it confusing when someone was speaking as the writer would add extra details about what they had said, outside of the speech marks - and as someone who adores Sally Rooney, its not the lack of speech marks, its just the lack of fully feeling the conversation.
*after a couple of months*
This book is a 5 star, I think about it constantly and I really appreciate what it has done
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Self harm, Pregnancy, and Abortion
Minor: Death of parent
natalietan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism
eve81's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Abandonment