Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

22 reviews

laurataylor's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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candicemcrae's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

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analea_lucille's review against another edition

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

4.0

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sandysmith's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.25

An exceptional book about Ash (Ashley) and her best friend Edi (Edith). It's written from Ash's point of view watching her best friend receiving end of life care in a hospice. Written beautifully. However, it is very much centred from Ash, which at times I wanted to shout "it's not about you", and some of the medical descriptions annoyed me as I feel this would not and should not happen, particularly the cleaning of a wound with water so points off for that. That said, I did still love the emotional rollercoster, and whilst the ending is expected as its hospice care after all, it still hits you hard. Love and laughter. Loss and friendship, families make it a heartbreaking, tearful read.
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tysuckz's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

I love the way it was written. It felt like I was inside of Ash's head, hearing her every thought as everything happened around her. 

I did think some things were left unfinished and that was slightly annoying  but honestly that could've just been symbolic to death. This is the only thing that knocked it down from a five. 

Absolutely heartbreaking. You really grow to love Edi so needless to say the ending hurts ! 
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abisnail564's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A sad but funny story about friendship and grief. I felt very connected to the main character.
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tracey1981's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

Despite loving books more than I love almost anything, I haven't felt *this* way about a book in a very long time. Before page 35 I had already cried and had laughed out loud several times. In the last 60 pages, I stayed up well past my bedtime, which I don't really do anymore cause I'm old, and I actually almost got out of bed to go order the book because I was reading a library copy and needed to confirm that I would have it on my shelf forever - but then I couldn't decide just how many copies I should order because I want to gift it to everyone I know. This is definitely in my top three favourites ever. 

The characters, relationships and dialogue felt believable and relatable to me. The focus on micro-moments of joy and heartbreak just pulled me in so much. I loved Newman's writing style and her ability to have me laughing and crying in the same paragraph. I can't recommend it highly enough. 

Content warning: this book is set in a hospice and focuses on imminent death. The humour is dark and involves laughing at things we don't normally laugh at. There was at least one joke related to sexual violence that I didn't think was funny.
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jen_again's review against another edition

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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

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flowchelle's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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bella_cavicchi's review against another edition

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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.
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