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amberjackonski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had a really horribly difficult day at work - the kind that makes me need to have a really good cry. I give this book a five because it gave me a good reason to let myself cry. I don’t know what a diffident experience I would’ve had with this book on another day, but because I read it today and because I had the day I did, I give it a five.
I would love to see the actual journal Clover kept as a separate book.
The only thing that bothered me was she was so clear on the ethics of sharing her deceased clients’ secrets, but she no qualms about blabbing about her loving clients’ secrets. However, it would’ve been a very different story without this blabbing.
The best characters were the elderly - Claudia, Bessie, Leo, and grandpa. I didn’t love any of the other characters. Oh wait. I did really like Hugo. I think I would like them more if I spent more time with them - like in a sequel.
I would love to see the actual journal Clover kept as a separate book.
The only thing that bothered me was she was so clear on the ethics of sharing her deceased clients’ secrets, but she no qualms about blabbing about her loving clients’ secrets. However, it would’ve been a very different story without this blabbing.
The best characters were the elderly - Claudia, Bessie, Leo, and grandpa. I didn’t love any of the other characters. Oh wait. I did really like Hugo. I think I would like them more if I spent more time with them - like in a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Death, and Sexism
wcont's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
One of my favorite books of the year- my heart wants to give it 5 stars, my brain wants to give it 4. I'm deferring to my spirit to split the difference and landing at a 4.5.
The author does a great job of putting you in the mind of Death Doula Clover who is put simply, a hot mess. She's regularly unlikeable but also painfully relatable and interesting. I laughed, I cried and once I was finished I felt such a life affirming joy in my soul (which is quite impressive for a book dealing with death.)
The characters are largely well rounded and complex and the moment to moment writing clicked for me. My only major complaint is that the narrative happens almost entirely in the 3rd act (seriously the pacing is a little rough.) But the thing is- it doesn't really matter. My eyes were too misty and my heart was too full at the end to care because the message and sentiment behind the story was just that strong. And in a story about the messiness of one's journey being what's beautiful about it- that's pretty fitting.
The author does a great job of putting you in the mind of Death Doula Clover who is put simply, a hot mess. She's regularly unlikeable but also painfully relatable and interesting. I laughed, I cried and once I was finished I felt such a life affirming joy in my soul (which is quite impressive for a book dealing with death.)
The characters are largely well rounded and complex and the moment to moment writing clicked for me. My only major complaint is that the narrative happens almost entirely in the 3rd act (seriously the pacing is a little rough.) But the thing is- it doesn't really matter. My eyes were too misty and my heart was too full at the end to care because the message and sentiment behind the story was just that strong. And in a story about the messiness of one's journey being what's beautiful about it- that's pretty fitting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
mob333's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
marzipanwonderland's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
faulknerd865's review against another edition
I was bored. The main character wasn't all that likeable, and I just wasn't invested in her story. Also, the idea of being a "death doula" didn't seem all that strange to me, but the whole premise is that it's this horrible off-putting thing, so I just didn't buy it. It just wasn't for me, I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
mmartinko11's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
cassie7e's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pleasantly written, enjoyable enough. Didn't strike me emotionally as much as it has for others. A good cozy read for fall (Halloween or Day of the Dead) or winter.
A story of a woman who honors and lives out others' regrets to avoid facing her own. At first I was uncertain about the story since I'm tired of insecure overthinking female protagonists (not that theyre unrealistic). Clover is somehow both overly self critical and aware of every "awkward" moment no one else would notice, and completely un-self aware, confused every time anyone notices anything about her.
but I appreciated the dynamics and developments with other characters. Despite attending multiple family funerals this year, this book didn't really make me reflect on the deaths in my own life because it's so much about Clover's growth specifically, and I didn't resonate with any of the characters' relationships with death.
A story of a woman who honors and lives out others' regrets to avoid facing her own. At first I was uncertain about the story since I'm tired of insecure overthinking female protagonists (not that theyre unrealistic). Clover is somehow both overly self critical and aware of every "awkward" moment no one else would notice, and completely un-self aware, confused every time anyone notices anything about her.
but I appreciated the dynamics and developments with other characters. Despite attending multiple family funerals this year, this book didn't really make me reflect on the deaths in my own life because it's so much about Clover's growth specifically, and I didn't resonate with any of the characters' relationships with death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Terminal illness and Grief
_hannah_may_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
ukponge's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death