bon_xx's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Dementia and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child death
itschelseaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
One such swimmer, Alice, has had her routines seemingly disrupted her entire life, starting with the internment camps in the USA during WWII. Her adult life is disrupted by the death of her mother, then the development of dementia, and the closure of the pool. These disruptions to her life tumble into each other, and the ending is tender and heartbreaking.
Watching my father slowly, then rapidly, die was incredibly difficult, and it only took the span of 1 year. I can’t imagine years upon years of visiting your parent and knowing that things won’t improve but holding out hope that they will. The little things they did and loved and talked about that become the things that ultimately haunt you.
Tender and touching, especially at the end.
Graphic: Death of parent and Dementia
Moderate: Miscarriage
tindin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Dementia, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Mental illness, Child death, Confinement, Miscarriage, War, and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment, Racism, and Xenophobia
venetiana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, Car accident, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Child death, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, War, and Ableism
alyssancoon96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
For me, 5 stars is "would read again", and I don't think I could bring myself to read this book again, because it was very sad for me personally. But I would still recommend it to anyone.
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Dementia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Miscarriage
jularcido's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Dementia and Chronic illness
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, and Miscarriage