Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Ask Again, Yes

TW: abuse, gun violence, mental illness, infidelity, alcoholism

This book was sad, not like I cried the entire book, just like a real life sadness that is hard to explain. The characters are genuine, real. I could feel the characters emotions, I could feel the emotions of the book so strongly. I was sad when the characters were, I could imagine the events happening in the book, happening to someone I know, a friend, a family member. The exploration of early childhood trauma, generational trauma, the faults of parents and how it forms their children, it was done perfectly in this book.

The story spanned 40+ years, and explored multiple view points and generations experiencing similar and different events. The story shows perfectly how certain things can form and shape who you become, and how just because you were formed and shaped that way doesn’t mean you aren’t able to change.

This will be a book I recommend to friends.

Content Warnings

erinblue's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

5.0

Content Warnings

antje's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was expecting something more Jodi Picoult/Liane Moriarty feeling like but Ask Again, Yes was a depressing story spanning more than four decades and two generations. We have characters struggeling with loneliness, mental illness, alcoholism, trauma handed down through generations, family, friendships and relationships.
I really felt the darkness, the pain and struggle and tbh the only reason the rating is so slow is down to personal enjoyment. I might have enjoyed it more at some other point but this week it wasn't it.

Content Warnings