bonchoix's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Body shaming, and Mental illness
Moderate: Eating disorder and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Stalking, and Biphobia
lifeonasofa's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really Good, Actually šš» ReviewĀ
āOne day and it will surprise you how soon this day will come, but one day you will wake up and feel good. It wonāt last long, but then youāll have another day where you barely remember this abjection, and another, and another, until thatās just your life. But for now, it will be hard. This is the part thatās hard.ā - Monica Heisey š
āļøāļøāļøš« 3.5 StarsĀ
This was like a chaotic podcast or diary, I really recommend the audiobook. It was a great listen on the way to work. Despite having some pretty sad themes, surprisingly, this book made me feel light and happy. It was like I was having a chat with a friend, maybe even myself š¤·š»āāļø
Heads up, if divorce is big in your life right now, some of the harder parts might hit close. But personally, as a nearly 30 year old - itās almost comforting to read about others not having their life together yano? š
Thereās really not much plot here, but some decent character development. A good look at relationships, growing up, finding yourself, friendships, careers and hobbies in your late 20s. Also, a big clap for highlighting the importance of therapy šš»
Overall, although Iām finding it hard to think of anything negative to say, itās not a book I think Iāll remember, it was more a vibe āŗļø
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Grief, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Stalking
basicbookstagrammer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A dark, humorous story about one woman's divorce and subsequent breakdown as she tries to figure out who she is without her husband. Maggie is at times frustrating and annoying, and very much an unreliable narrator. We spend a lot of the novel wishing she would have more confidence in herself as an individual, and that she would treat her friends better, but the ending provides an uplifting message about the importance of friendship and self-love.Ā
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment
quillreads's review against another edition
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.
Ā
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 Sedarisās 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 Heiseyās writing and storytelling. In particular, I loved how the book mimics the gradual of Maggieās 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?
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The Run-Down:Ā
You will probably like Really Good, Actually if:
Ā·Ā Ā Ā You can relate to the protagonist, either by virtue of demographic or life situation
Ā·Ā Ā Ā You enjoy humorous writing with a serious side
Ā·Ā Ā Ā You appreciate a story that realistically portrays mental health struggles
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You might not like Really Good, Actually if:
Ā·Ā Ā Ā You dislike unlikable or difficult protagonists
Ā·Ā Ā Ā You hate reading about āfirst world problemsā
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexism, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Cursing, Fatphobia, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual content, and Cancer
agirl_withabook's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
This is the worst book Iāve read in a long time Iām talking a decade. This book is trash and a waste of timeĀ
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking and Eating disorder
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