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tinkeringcheck's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-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
Read for a book club, and since the subject matter isn't something I'd pick up myself I won't rate it. The depictions of postpartum depression, self-harm, and suicide ideation are very, very raw and I'd caution anyone sensitive to those topics to mind the content warnings.
I will say that I found the use of flashback letters/diaries really impactful and the siblings' relationship very real (as in equal parts sweet and mischievous and frustrating in that special way of siblings). I thought each of the narrator's voices were strong, though I loved some more than others. I thought all of the characters went through their own arcs and growth, and no one felt unimportant which is no small feat when a big family side cast is involved.
I found the depiction of dementia a little stereotypical and sterilized, like a checklist of 'unusual' symptoms, though granted it wasn't the main part of the story. It seemed like the depictions of postpartum depression were much more fleshed out, but it felt like the healing from it was a bit sterilized as well. I'm a bit tired of seeings characters trying one (1) anti-depressant and suddenly being totally fine. What about having to try different meds? What about co-morbidities (like anxiety, in Beth's case)? What about therapy? Especially since Beth, as a mental health professional, was so against getting diagnosed at all it seems odd that there wasn't even a mention of therapy to help her work through that obvious block. I know the stigma of mental health professionals getting mental health support themselves has changed so much since the 90s, but it seemed out of step with the rest of the forward-facing tone of the ending.
I found the ending rushed as well. I really enjoyed the twistwith Maryanne's existence and the kids' memories being of her instead of Grace . But the romantic aspect between their dad and Maryanne seemed forced. A platonic coparenting situation would've had the same stakes for Maryanne while actually recognizing her progressive characterization. I loved Maryanne , and I wish we could've spent more time with her character without her falling into to the "childfree woman fell in love with the kids and therefore MUST fall in love with a man and become a wife" trope. Her relationship with Beth was one of my favourite parts of the book, but I wish it had been celebrated in a way that hadn't forced her character into a very nuclear box.
Overall, I loved most of the characters and the growth that everyone went through, but there were some unexplored biases towards mental health diagnoses and childfree women from the narrators that went untapped.
I will say that I found the use of flashback letters/diaries really impactful and the siblings' relationship very real (as in equal parts sweet and mischievous and frustrating in that special way of siblings). I thought each of the narrator's voices were strong, though I loved some more than others. I thought all of the characters went through their own arcs and growth, and no one felt unimportant which is no small feat when a big family side cast is involved.
I found the depiction of dementia a little stereotypical and sterilized, like a checklist of 'unusual' symptoms, though granted it wasn't the main part of the story. It seemed like the depictions of postpartum depression were much more fleshed out, but it felt like the healing from it was a bit sterilized as well. I'm a bit tired of seeings characters trying one (1) anti-depressant and suddenly being totally fine. What about having to try different meds? What about co-morbidities (like anxiety, in Beth's case)? What about therapy? Especially since Beth, as a mental health professional, was so against getting diagnosed at all it seems odd that there wasn't even a mention of therapy to help her work through that obvious block. I know the stigma of mental health professionals getting mental health support themselves has changed so much since the 90s, but it seemed out of step with the rest of the forward-facing tone of the ending.
I found the ending rushed as well. I really enjoyed the twist
Overall, I loved most of the characters and the growth that everyone went through, but there were some unexplored biases towards mental health diagnoses and childfree women from the narrators that went untapped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cursing, Miscarriage, Car accident, Abandonment, and Classism