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brighetti's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
A grippingly emotional book. So moving, and through all the twists and turns it imparted a profound optimism and appreciation for life that filtered into my own perspective of reality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is the story of two sisters. Marlowe lives in London where she is studying for a PhD and trying to forge an independent life for herself. Younger sister Harper lives in Hong Kong with their father and “step monster”. She has Down Syndrome. The book opens with Marlowe receiving news that Harper’s congential heart condition has worsened and is now considered terminal. She returns to Hong Kong to resume caring for her sister. The story is told from alternating points of view. While I didn’t always agree with Marlowe’s actions I - also the oldest child in a family with a disabled sibling - could really relate to her, particularly her sense of duty, protectiveness, and responsibility towards Harper. Harper’s voice was sensitively portrayed and, based on my knowledge, felt authentic to someone at the higher functioning end of the Down Syndrome spectrum. I really appreciated the way this novel explored the issue of access to health care for the disabled, and the amount of autonomy a disabled person should have to make decisions about their own healthcare, and about their life more generally. The fact that Harper wasn’t eligible for a heart transplant because of her disability was sickening. The issue of autonomy in decision making is trickier and very much depends on individual circumstances. I wish Marlowe had spoken to Harper, laid out the facts truthfully but compassionately, answered her questions, corrected her misconceptions, and above all listened to her. By the latter stages of the novel it was clear Harper was fully aware of the consequences of refusing a transplant, but did not want one regardless. This novel also offers a peek into the reality of the trade in human organs in China - truly horrific and terrifying. This novel was beautifully written, although I did find the butterfly imagery a bit too heavy handed in places. It has real depth with other threads woven into the plot. The ending managed to be both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Terminal illness, and Grief