kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
A book about grief and the ways that we learn that the people we loved aren’t always who we thought they were. A tough read that was slow to start but ended beautifully.
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Terminal illness
brookey8888's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
This was a really difficult book to read, but I read it at the perfect moment in my life. I recently lost my grandpa(thankfully not like how it was in the book), so it was really important for me to read this about grief. I really liked the main character and how she dealt with her grief and all she found out about her grandfather. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Mabel change, but still be very important. I also liked the ending and it was bittersweet.
Graphic: Suicide, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, and Death
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I have had this novel on my shelves for a few years now, and finally decided to give it a try because I have heard amazing things about Nina LaCour as an author. I was rather disappointed by this story, and perhaps I was left wanting more because I waited too long to pick this up. "We Are Okay" follows Marin, a college freshman who is running away from her life in California at a school in New York. She has not talked about all of the terrible things that she was forced to face, not even to her best friend, Mabel. When Mabel shows up for winter break to take Marin home, Marin is forced to finally acknowledge everything she has been running from.
I can see why Nina LaCour is such a beloved author. This book was written beautifully: it perfectly balances poetic language while not being too verbose. This story was just really dull for me, and I struggled to get into it. This story really attempts to explore grief, but I felt like Marin did not truly face the deaths she was running away from. The story ends right where I felt there was a climax and I really wanted to see more character growth from Marin.
I do think I will give Nina LaCour another try sometime in the future.
I can see why Nina LaCour is such a beloved author. This book was written beautifully: it perfectly balances poetic language while not being too verbose. This story was just really dull for me, and I struggled to get into it. This story really attempts to explore grief, but I felt like Marin did not truly face the deaths she was running away from. The story ends right where I felt there was a climax and I really wanted to see more character growth from Marin.
I do think I will give Nina LaCour another try sometime in the future.
Graphic: Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
eligru's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Wow, this made me cry so hard. I loved the second half.
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Cancer, and Chronic illness
k_at1's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
4.25
Minor: Chronic illness
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