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beckydr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A child dies on a council estate in London and a journalist happens by the scene mere hours later. Deeply insightful and told from multiple perspectives, it hooked me with mystery and captivated me with fleshed-out characters who are explained so well through snippets that I felt like I knew them. This is not a mystery or thriller with a clear end, but excellent literary fiction that is suspenseful and intriguing.
I've been reading through the Women's Prize For Fiction longlist even though the winner is long announced and this is my third 5* read out of seven read; I like those odds and I really recommend adding the challenge on The Storygraph!
I've been reading through the Women's Prize For Fiction longlist even though the winner is long announced and this is my third 5* read out of seven read; I like those odds and I really recommend adding the challenge on The Storygraph!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Child death
marthaos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
This is a really well-written book, a story whose plot involves a tragedy outlined in the opening sequence, but which turns out to be much more than the procedural it is set up to be. It is a wonderful character study, a look at a time in social history that is bleak and rife with a sort of opportunism that thrives on judgment and cover-ups and where if a person is down, they are down.
The Greens move to London from Ireland in the eighties to escape the judgment and social castigation that a teenage pregnancy would bring. Carmel, young, beautiful and with an imagined future of success, has to sacrifice much of what she wanted for herself but despite the sacrifices, cannot give herself to motherhood fully, remaining detached and cold towards her child Lucy. Lucy is the ten-year-old in question accused and questioned about the tragedy involving Mia, and when reporter Tom gets hold of the story, we see how a family can be scapegoated for no reason other than their position in society.
Through wonderfully rich character portrayals and descriptions, we learn how a series of ordinary human failings can compound a family, how shame and secrecy can feed off each other and over time smother a family and stop any growth. As we learn about the various members, we see how alcoholism and addiction can burn deep, we see how dreams and hopes can be buried in a culture of shame and failure and ultimately how it takes an open and brave confrontation with truth to break the cycles that can keep a family bound.
While this was quite a dark book, it was nuanced in its tone. The characters were very believably portrayed; ordinary humans who were neither vilified nor deified but who were navigating this life as best they could.
Overall this was a rich and immersive read and the Green family will stay with me for a long time and the quality of writing made it an enriching and enjoyable listen.
The Greens move to London from Ireland in the eighties to escape the judgment and social castigation that a teenage pregnancy would bring. Carmel, young, beautiful and with an imagined future of success, has to sacrifice much of what she wanted for herself but despite the sacrifices, cannot give herself to motherhood fully, remaining detached and cold towards her child Lucy. Lucy is the ten-year-old in question accused and questioned about the tragedy involving Mia, and when reporter Tom gets hold of the story, we see how a family can be scapegoated for no reason other than their position in society.
Through wonderfully rich character portrayals and descriptions, we learn how a series of ordinary human failings can compound a family, how shame and secrecy can feed off each other and over time smother a family and stop any growth. As we learn about the various members, we see how alcoholism and addiction can burn deep, we see how dreams and hopes can be buried in a culture of shame and failure and ultimately how it takes an open and brave confrontation with truth to break the cycles that can keep a family bound.
While this was quite a dark book, it was nuanced in its tone. The characters were very believably portrayed; ordinary humans who were neither vilified nor deified but who were navigating this life as best they could.
Overall this was a rich and immersive read and the Green family will stay with me for a long time and the quality of writing made it an enriching and enjoyable listen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
laran_s's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
velvet_young's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Child death
katiemanring's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This was a challenging but beautifully written family story that truly is an onion. One tragic death of a child opens up the layers of the family’s past and unravels the mystery in part and in some parts doesn’t at all. Compellingly consumable I enjoyed this sad but hopeful tale full of rich characters. Very different from Nolan’s other novel - shows a rich, beautiful range in her ability to tell stories. I recommend both her books!!
I appreciate and thank NetGalley and the publisher for the galley ARC for an honest review!
I appreciate and thank NetGalley and the publisher for the galley ARC for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, and Abortion
linguaphile412's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Grief, and Death of parent