Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

1 review

thecriticalreader's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Why I Read It: I chose Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey as my add-on for my Book of the Month Club pick.
 
Review:
Really Good, Actually pulled me in from the first page with its wit, humor, relatability, and emotional depth, in a manner that reminded me somewhat of David Sedaris’s writing. As the book went on, I realized that it is so much more than a humorous account of millennial life: it is a book that has something to say, and it brilliantly explores mental illness, loneliness, feminism, and other issues without ever hitting the audience over the head with its message. In the hands of anyone but a master writer, this story could have easily been trite, obnoxious, cringeworthy, or shallow, but Really Good, Actually blew me away with the deftness and skill of Monica Heisey’s writing and storytelling. In particular,
I loved how the book mimics the gradual of Maggie’s mental and physical health by morphing from funny relatability into horrifying mental crisis so smoothly that the reader is left wondering: how did we get here?
 
The Run-Down: 
You will probably like Really Good, Actually if:
·      You can relate to the protagonist, either by virtue of demographic or life situation
·      You enjoy humorous writing with a serious side
·      You appreciate a story that realistically portrays mental health struggles
 
You might not like Really Good, Actually if:
·      You dislike unlikable or difficult protagonists
·      You hate reading about “first world problems”
 
 
 
 
 
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