Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Pearl by Siân Hughes

5 reviews

nialiversuch's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

notthatcosta's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

4.75

An achingly beautiful book that is one of the most visceral and resonant depictions of grief and loss I've seen represented in literature. The magical realist elements are incredibly wistful and beautiful, especially considering the 'real world' aspects are so...real. 

I would give this 5* but the quality dipped so much in chapters 11-13 that it almost ruined the book for me. I guess I just find bratty, angsty teenagers insufferable in any and every form and context.

Overall, one of the most impactful novels I've read in recent memory, and to know that the story was very much informed by Sian Hughes' own experiences and childhood makes it even more special.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Pregnancy

eilidhmacq's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, and Death of parent

christinahill's review against another edition

dark funny 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

emziesreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

I'm glad that the Booker longlisting of Pearl brought this Ali Smith-like meditation of the longlasting impact of grief. It's not the first book about an absent mother but it is one of the better ones. That being said, I'm not convinced that it is 1 of the 13 best books this year.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail