The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
ericj32's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Cursing, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Slavery, and Confinement
Minor: Vomit, Excrement, and Suicidal thoughts
skylarkblue1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I didn't really feel anything from this book. The writing was nice and did paint a decent picture of the scene but in the end I was left feeling like it was kinda just... All about nothing. Reading other reviews shows it didn't really teach anything about magdalene laundries other than they existed and where bad. It doesn't go that much into what abuses where suffered by women in those places - barely enough for most of the content warnings to be applicable. It tries to keep things light and hopeful especially with the ending, but feels like it ends up undermining how serious this piece of history is.
If you've watched broadchurch, it felt a bit like watching a bad version of that classic opening, the one-shot where Mark is walking through town but you know something bad is happening in the background. At least with Broadchurch it actually does something with the "bad" stuff lmao. Here instead it attempts a hapy ending but just feels a bit bleak and empty.Â
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Vomit
vixenreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Torture, Bullying, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Xenophobia, Excrement, and Terminal illness
Be aware that this novel addresses the Magdalen laundry, where religious institutions would abuse and isolate young âtroubledâ women. It is rough to read, and there is more details between the lines. Poverty and abuse of power had a huge hand in this discussion.angievansprang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Torture and Confinement
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Alcohol
faenth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
notthatcosta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The dialogue was particularly strong from the supporting townspeople, the opaqueness of which complemented the earnestness and pathos of the protagonist. I really got a good sense of his temperament, motivations and backstory, which is an achievement in a novella.Â
I appreciated the economy of the writing and how it created an air of tension and mystery whilst providing enough exposition to keep you in the story. It made me hungry for more, which is the mark of a good writer, especially of shorter books.Â
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Vomit, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
tamara_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Cancer
jiscoo's review against another edition
4.25
Minor: Vomit
booksjessreads's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
I really loved so many things about this book, and for how short it is, it certainly packs a punch. It dealt with themes surrounding identity, morality, concepts of womanhood and familial life, as well as having a really eloquent writing style. I felt all of these themes and events intertwined really nicely. I particularly found Bill's inner torment with his own sense of identity as the child of an unmarried mother, his Catholic identity, his Irish identity and his sense of morality a really interesting mix of emotions and it was portrayed so well throughout. Â
I also really enjoyed this books exploration of the evil in society, but from the perspective of compliance, rather than being an explicit perpetrator. At first, I hadn't realised that this was even an element to the book, but it wasn't until I reflected on it for this review and read some of the Booker Prize information on this novella, that I understood. Compliance was specifically manifested in our female characters and coming to this realisation, it made me understand why they felt so proud of adhering to traditional styles of womanhood and having a selfish and unbothered attitude to Bill's concerns.Â
I think this could have been 5 stars for me, but I did feel a little let down by the end. After reading up on the events in the Church after reading, it made sense to me, but on a first read, it didn't feel definitive enough and I felt a little lost afterwards. However, this is an excellent read and I would highly recommend this to anyone!
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent