solasuaine's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
Graphic: Abortion, Medical content, and Miscarriage
smute's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I was surprised to see so many negative reviews for this book, but having read it now I can see why some people might be put off by it. Firstly, it doesn't offer much in terms of plot. In fact, most of the action takes place outside of the narrated time. We begin post rem, learn a lot about past events, are even encouraged to anticipate future events, but the few weeks covered in the story are remarkably uneventful. Secondly, and not coincidentally, the text is deeply introspective, emotional, and it paints a gloomy picture of our (pre-)apocalyptic world. It made me laugh out loud more than once but much of its humor stems from the absurd contrast between the protagonist's resigned levity and her lostness in an indifferent world. But that's also where the story's magic lies. Smallwood manages to turn familiar mundane moments into relevant, poignant observations on life in the 21st century—on fear, privilege, guilt, resignation, powerlessness, acceptance, and even hope. What the story lacks in amusement it more than makes up for in hyper-examined introspection. Yes, there are a lot of stories about academics with low self-esteem, but rarely do they hit as close to home as this one. If that's your jam, you're gonna love it.
Graphic: Blood, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
jasperrodriguez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Abortion and Miscarriage
Moderate: Blood and Gore
thelibraryofalexandra's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion
betris's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Miscarriage
jemima_reads's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Miscarriage
vidyareads's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I thought I would be sad but I wasn’t. It does feel like we are watching a movie, with the use of “She is doing this..” to describe our main character Dorothy.
There isn’t a particular plot to the book but for some reason that I can’t explain, I like it. Other plotless books didn’t have the same sentiment from me so this has to be special.
I’m not revealing any spoilers by stating that there is miscarriage and abortion in this book. Most of the book is about Dorothy going thru a miscarriage. It’s quite detailed, her bathroom visits I mean. thought I would be sad, but I wasn’t. I’ve never been pregnant, so I learnt a lot. If you are in delicate state of mind, pass on this book and come back another time. I also didn’t underline text, I don’t normally but if you do then buy the book because there are many many paragraphs I found highly interesting, otherwise just borrow from your library.
I really thought I would be sad, may be in a way this book revealed something to me about me.
There isn’t a particular plot to the book but for some reason that I can’t explain, I like it. Other plotless books didn’t have the same sentiment from me so this has to be special.
I’m not revealing any spoilers by stating that there is miscarriage and abortion in this book. Most of the book is about Dorothy going thru a miscarriage. It’s quite detailed, her bathroom visits I mean. thought I would be sad, but I wasn’t. I’ve never been pregnant, so I learnt a lot. If you are in delicate state of mind, pass on this book and come back another time. I also didn’t underline text, I don’t normally but if you do then buy the book because there are many many paragraphs I found highly interesting, otherwise just borrow from your library.
I really thought I would be sad, may be in a way this book revealed something to me about me.
Graphic: Abortion and Miscarriage
siobhanfuller's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Medical content and Miscarriage
Moderate: Mental illness and Abortion
frecci7's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage
booksarebrainfood's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Miscarriage