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alexisgarcia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
3.5
this is such a raw and honest portrayal of grief and loss. just be sure to check content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
jackbifrost's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
raelong12's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
jen_again's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage and Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, and Sexual content
books_and_tea_make_katy_happy's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
“Everyone dies, and yet it’s unendurable. There is so much love inside of us. How do we become worthy of it? And, then, where does it go? A worldwide crescendo of grief, sustained day after day, and only one tiny note of it is mine."
Edi and Ash have been friends forever and been there for all of life's adventures - navigating high school, first loves, backpacking across Europe, marriage and children. Now they face one final journey together - Edi is dying. Ash and her family rally round and get Edi checked into a hospice near their home in Massachusetts, and this is where we pick up the story.
Every day, Ash visits Edi bringing her treats (the good chocolate with the sea salt), the fizzy drinks that Edi loves, lotion to rub into Edi's dry hands - anything to bring comfort. Ash's heart is breaking and she cannot find anything to comfort herself.
I have never been in a position where I have nursed a loved one in their final days so I have no personal point of reference, however from reading We All Want Impossible Things I think that I have a better understanding of the emotional toll it must take. For about three-quarters of the novel I was so frustrated at Ash's coping mechanism of sleeping with unsuitable people when her husband is clearly still in love with her (they are separated) - but I loved it when her youngest daughter calls her out on it! Ash KNOWS it's not helping - but no-one has a manual to help you get through the death of your best friend.
In the obvious ways, this is a modern, tender, bittersweet novel about loss and grief, however the relationships between all the characters are heart-warming and life affirming. The way that Ash and her daughters talk to each other is very different to how I talk to my mum, but lovely to see that they have such a deep bond. There is a really great energy between the characters that comes off the page.
There were only two things that stopped me from loving this novel. The first thing was that Edi is taken away from where she lives in New York to see out her days in a hospice in a different state, leaving her young son behind. I get that it must be a tremendously difficult decision to make about whether your child should see you die but to just whisk his mother away felt quite cruel to me. The review on @julia_flyte grid is much more eloquent on this!
Second thing (which some might argue is quite picky!) is that there are too many characters who have names beginning with J! I found it so hard to keep track of Jules (Ash's daughter), Jude (Edi's husband), Jonah (Edi's brother) and Jelly (the cat) that it was quite distracting from what was actually going on, so I am taking off half a point for that - sorry...
Overall it was deeply moving and thought provoking, really enjoyed reading it (and now want some Italian lemon polenta cake!).
Edi and Ash have been friends forever and been there for all of life's adventures - navigating high school, first loves, backpacking across Europe, marriage and children. Now they face one final journey together - Edi is dying. Ash and her family rally round and get Edi checked into a hospice near their home in Massachusetts, and this is where we pick up the story.
Every day, Ash visits Edi bringing her treats (the good chocolate with the sea salt), the fizzy drinks that Edi loves, lotion to rub into Edi's dry hands - anything to bring comfort. Ash's heart is breaking and she cannot find anything to comfort herself.
I have never been in a position where I have nursed a loved one in their final days so I have no personal point of reference, however from reading We All Want Impossible Things I think that I have a better understanding of the emotional toll it must take. For about three-quarters of the novel I was so frustrated at Ash's coping mechanism of sleeping with unsuitable people when her husband is clearly still in love with her (they are separated) - but I loved it when her youngest daughter calls her out on it! Ash KNOWS it's not helping - but no-one has a manual to help you get through the death of your best friend.
In the obvious ways, this is a modern, tender, bittersweet novel about loss and grief, however the relationships between all the characters are heart-warming and life affirming. The way that Ash and her daughters talk to each other is very different to how I talk to my mum, but lovely to see that they have such a deep bond. There is a really great energy between the characters that comes off the page.
There were only two things that stopped me from loving this novel. The first thing was that Edi is taken away from where she lives in New York to see out her days in a hospice in a different state, leaving her young son behind. I get that it must be a tremendously difficult decision to make about whether your child should see you die but to just whisk his mother away felt quite cruel to me. The review on @julia_flyte grid is much more eloquent on this!
Second thing (which some might argue is quite picky!) is that there are too many characters who have names beginning with J! I found it so hard to keep track of Jules (Ash's daughter), Jude (Edi's husband), Jonah (Edi's brother) and Jelly (the cat) that it was quite distracting from what was actually going on, so I am taking off half a point for that - sorry...
Overall it was deeply moving and thought provoking, really enjoyed reading it (and now want some Italian lemon polenta cake!).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
hatjane's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Minor: Sexual harassment
ambersbooksandbakes's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
barrenonebooks's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault
becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Tugging on my heartstrings this story resonated with me. I was a little wary before starting it as I knew it was set in a hospice, and although it tugged on my heartstrings it had me sobbing and laughing in equal measure.
Edi and Ash have been best friends from infancy through adulthood, they’ve seen each other through every milestone in life and are now facing the toughest one together. Edi is in palliative care and Ash is by her side every day supporting her through her last weeks. Ash reflects on a lifetime of friendship while also struggling through her grief.
Centred around death, this book is inspiringly life affirming filled with love, compassion, and hilarity. Through the daily lives of these characters Newman shows us the beauty and wonderful side of life. The characters are vibrant and lovable, though you may be left questioning some of the decisions Ash makes through the book. From Bella’s unusual statements to Honey’s unbounding love and care for his estranged wife, each character is original and special.
A love letter to friendship, this book will carry a special place in my heart.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
Edi and Ash have been best friends from infancy through adulthood, they’ve seen each other through every milestone in life and are now facing the toughest one together. Edi is in palliative care and Ash is by her side every day supporting her through her last weeks. Ash reflects on a lifetime of friendship while also struggling through her grief.
Centred around death, this book is inspiringly life affirming filled with love, compassion, and hilarity. Through the daily lives of these characters Newman shows us the beauty and wonderful side of life. The characters are vibrant and lovable, though you may be left questioning some of the decisions Ash makes through the book. From Bella’s unusual statements to Honey’s unbounding love and care for his estranged wife, each character is original and special.
A love letter to friendship, this book will carry a special place in my heart.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
I feel like all my reviews of the books I love say the same thing, but I suppose that's just a reflection of the sort of literature I adore: books that are so obviously loving and achingly human (!). WE ALL WANT IMPOSSIBLE THINGS has it all. If you have a friend in your life who you would do anything for, be prepared to tear up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, and Pregnancy