Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Suicide Notes

Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford

13 reviews

06_trinity's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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brookeisbusyreading's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

[3.5]

I honestly wasn’t expecting the story to take a turn in the LGBTQ+ department.

The reveal of why Jeff tries to kill himself actually ends up fitting with the rest of the story but…I don’t know. There’s something about the last third of the story that feels off to me.

The characters are all VERY interesting though! Jeff, Sadie, and especially Martha. I think Ford did a great job keeping a bit of mystery (or a lot) for each character while not leaving us completely in the dark.

Sadie’s death was also fitting, though I don’t like that that had to be her fate.

This book definitely surprised me and Jeff’s sarcasm was top-tier! …But maybe I won’t finish reading a story like this on Christmas lol

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jasmineslibraryy's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

good quick read, loved jeff and sadie. was not a big fan of the second half of the novel or of rankin... 😬

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eloise648's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring reflective tense 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

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petethecatsdad's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

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the_true_monroe's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I was conflicted on what to think if this book as although I thoroughly enjoyed the story and was captivated throughout, I was shocked at how for a book recomendad for 14 years and up, how many of the darkest topics were suddenly introduced in the book (I recommend looking at StoryGraph’s content warnings if you want to be prepared for anything specific.

As with Thirteen Reasons Why, I know many would say this book glorifies suicide, but I think the language used that talks about why people felt the need to attempt to tale their own life and the specific thoughts that went through their head (which often are ones of peace, and yearning) are critical to being realistic and helping people connect with the characters. People who experience mental illness and suicidal ideation do not get to sugarcoat their thoughts and feelings and often don’t realize they are not alone, so I applaud the raw emotion and deep dive into the suicidal mind. That being said, I really think there should be a forward to this book that addresses what readers will witness in the book, in a way that promotes safe messaging around suicide. And I do agree it may be detrimental if someone DOES NOT finish the book as some individual moments in fact would be read as glorifying suicide but again, it is all part of being authentic in portraying the characters experiences.

The only thing I truly did cringe at was some of the unaddressed ableism, such as with the use of the “r” word which I know in 2008 was more widely thrown around but that does not make it any less gross.

Anyway, I think this book takes a bold approach towards addressing very realistic but stigmatized experiences, that while being written with a lot of dark humor, involves a wide range of the strongest and most powerful emotions. There are horrible things that happen but also things that made me so hopeful and glad. I did love the book but also was unsettled by it and uncomfortable… but that was what I needed to feel. I just really need to stress the importance of knowing where you’re at mentally and emotionally when reading this book and checking content warnings if needed.

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