georginadaw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lilaudio's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
faesissa's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Was not a fan unfortunately. I did not connect with any of the characters. I understood their motivations (most of the time) but I think, for me, the main character is too naïve or something.
niki_swack's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
snuzzbobble's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
3.0
lesbianvulpix's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
m21phillips's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
stellarreads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jo_kingston's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This had an interesting premise, a world (which was frustratingly difficult to place, it’s written like a period drama but the names are unusual and there’s gay marriage, so written about an affluent family in some sort of alternative future?) where the rich have grief nurses so that they don’t have to experience grief or other negative emotions such as dread. The grief nurses can take their employers grief. The affluent family, the Asters, live on an island and the book opens with them hoisting a party after the death of one of their sons, then other people start dying. It had an incredibly slow start but was rather beautifully poignant by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
books_brownies_etc's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
A beautifully told and hauntingly lyrical tale - the story of Lynx, a grief nurse, and the family she works for as they grieve the death of their eldest son, Sculptor Aster. Magical realism is not a genre I’ve read much of and I did find that I had to remind myself that it didn’t need to make sense or feel like a world that is fair, a few times at the start of the book but once I’d really let it take me I had a great time - if anything I wish it was a little longer, I can definitely see there being room for a sequel!
The theme is dark, enchanting and mysterious - the scene setting is stunning, the aesthetic of this book really did make it. Think of a large opulent house - filled with secret passageways for whispered conversations, sumptuous rooms fit for hosting the grandest of balls and the most debauched after parties - a house that is surrounded by dramatic moody seas and home to a family of beautiful but emotionally tortured people.
The Grief Nurse takes a very intimate look at our emotions - those of grief, despair, sorrow but not so much joy - and the way we are governed by them. Our characters are embroiled in many complicated relationships - familial and romantic - with lots of lust, love, power battles and a healthy dose of hatred too. I enjoyed the LGBTQ rep in this book and liked the way it shone an empathetic light on the unfair treatment of people that don’t conform to societal norms.
A beautifully told and hauntingly lyrical tale - the story of Lynx, a grief nurse, and the family she works for as they grieve the death of their eldest son, Sculptor Aster. Magical realism is not a genre I’ve read much of and I did find that I had to remind myself that it didn’t need to make sense or feel like a world that is fair, a few times at the start of the book but once I’d really let it take me I had a great time - if anything I wish it was a little longer, I can definitely see there being room for a sequel!
The theme is dark, enchanting and mysterious - the scene setting is stunning, the aesthetic of this book really did make it. Think of a large opulent house - filled with secret passageways for whispered conversations, sumptuous rooms fit for hosting the grandest of balls and the most debauched after parties - a house that is surrounded by dramatic moody seas and home to a family of beautiful but emotionally tortured people.
The Grief Nurse takes a very intimate look at our emotions - those of grief, despair, sorrow but not so much joy - and the way we are governed by them. Our characters are embroiled in many complicated relationships - familial and romantic - with lots of lust, love, power battles and a healthy dose of hatred too. I enjoyed the LGBTQ rep in this book and liked the way it shone an empathetic light on the unfair treatment of people that don’t conform to societal norms.