khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
"Hubble used to say the answer to everything is obvious. We just make it complicated or impossible because sometimes the answer isn't what we want to hear or see. We detour, purposely going around in circles, dragging our feet, or even standing still, because we don't want to get to the end of the road, to the answer, to the truth, to closure. We're too afraid. We aren't ready." - Somewhere Close To Happy by Lia Louis
Lia Louis' debut novel is a beautiful, heartwrenching story of forgiveness and closure. It deals with grief and loss, and the stigma surrounding issues such as drug abuse, anxiety and depression.
In this book, Lizzie James chances upon a letter written by her estranged, troubled best friend Roman, who disappeared from her life twelve years ago. While the letter was written so long ago, it was posted to her very recently. Determined to find out the truth about her beloved friend, Lizzie and her faithful best friend Priscilla set out to find the elusive Roman.
The book takes place in different locations across Britain, and alternates between two timelines - Lizzie's past friendship with Roman and Lizzie's present search for Roman. The book explores dark themes of growing up in broken homes and dysfunctional families, which lead to drug or alcohol abuse. It also sheds a very bright spotlight on the struggles of someone who suffers from anxiety and depression.
I applaud the way Louis holds nothing back in writing about the meltdowns that a person with anxiety faces. It was illustrated in a very raw, heartbreaking way that makes the reader empathise with those who are suffering from mental illnesses, and Louis herself mentions that she wrote based on experience. This makes the book feel much more authentic and poignant.
The story also highlights the importance of having a good support system, and I loved how she make the characters vulnerable, yet strong enough to help each other heal. It is a truly beautiful story on dealing with grief and finding closure amidst the trials and tribulations we face, and to treasure the people around us.
Lia Louis' debut novel is a beautiful, heartwrenching story of forgiveness and closure. It deals with grief and loss, and the stigma surrounding issues such as drug abuse, anxiety and depression.
In this book, Lizzie James chances upon a letter written by her estranged, troubled best friend Roman, who disappeared from her life twelve years ago. While the letter was written so long ago, it was posted to her very recently. Determined to find out the truth about her beloved friend, Lizzie and her faithful best friend Priscilla set out to find the elusive Roman.
The book takes place in different locations across Britain, and alternates between two timelines - Lizzie's past friendship with Roman and Lizzie's present search for Roman. The book explores dark themes of growing up in broken homes and dysfunctional families, which lead to drug or alcohol abuse. It also sheds a very bright spotlight on the struggles of someone who suffers from anxiety and depression.
I applaud the way Louis holds nothing back in writing about the meltdowns that a person with anxiety faces. It was illustrated in a very raw, heartbreaking way that makes the reader empathise with those who are suffering from mental illnesses, and Louis herself mentions that she wrote based on experience. This makes the book feel much more authentic and poignant.
The story also highlights the importance of having a good support system, and I loved how she make the characters vulnerable, yet strong enough to help each other heal. It is a truly beautiful story on dealing with grief and finding closure amidst the trials and tribulations we face, and to treasure the people around us.
yoursaswell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Death, and Drug use
Lia Louis is brilliant. This is her debut book, but the 2nd of her book I’d be reading. This one is sad and reflective, and not really centered around romantic love as “eight perfect hours”, her first book I read was; so yes it’s not particularly my favorite. But it’s a brilliant piece. Characters and plot are written really well. The friendship between between Priscilla and Lizzie is somewhat close to what I currently experience in my own life so I can relate to it so strongly. The way it centered on mental health issues made me come to face with my own, and she did it in such a way that it’s not too overpowering/overwhelming, and yet not reducing the effect of such topics. I feel my words are jumbled as I’m just typing as it comes, but this is such a masterpiece. I can’t believe this is her first published book. The suspense till almost the end was yes, overbearing, but well done. Despite I was annoyed, I still was curious to see how all these end. It’s worth the time.lostinthepages20's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
thebreakfastbookclub's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't my favourite by Lia Louis, and I'm not sure if I enjoyed it. There was nothing wrong with the book - I love Lias writing and the characters were beautifully flawed and perfectly executed but it was just not a happy book! After reading Lia's other books I was expecting something different but I'm still glad I read it and if you're in the mood for a heart-wrenching book that will keep you gripped until the end this is it!
robinwalter's review against another edition
I was nowhere close to happy while reading it , and getting further away
indyjasmijn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.0
lucyp747d4's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kepate27's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
reading_in_brussels's review against another edition
3.0
In the morning that I started reading Somewhere Close to Happy, it was in a bid to while away the time while waiting for laundry to finish. I wasn't expecting it to grab and keep my attention as much as it did. My fault really, should have expected that with Lia Louis. I did not put in down until I finished it the same day.
This was an excellent read. I'm a fan of Lia Louis and will keep reading anything she writes.
This was an excellent read. I'm a fan of Lia Louis and will keep reading anything she writes.