The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
leanneymu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
alexisgarcia'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
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Cursing
sophiepearson'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
1.0
Some parts were trying to be a decent exploration of how relationships of all kinds evolve and change as life goes on, and some of the challenges around accepting that - but overall Nina was just so unlikeable that I’m surprised I was even able to finish the book!Â
There was also some mild transphobia - the characters perceived silliness of cis people putting pronouns in their bios etc - author should probably know that it’s acceptable and in part done to normalise people having different pronouns! Ugh!
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Dementia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Transphobia
h0lland's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Terminal illness and Dementia
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
nikenacs's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
@ everyone who described this as "relatable" - u good???Â
Liked the style, but found the content debatable. The book's strong points are definitely its reflections on dad-daughter relationships and the concept of memory/passing of time. However, the other 80% of this book is dedicated to Straight Horny Nonsenseâ„¢, internalized misogyny, white superficial feminism, casual alcoholism, not a single positive friendship or other interpersonal relationship, and Nina's absolutely insufferable inner monologue. Seriously, the entire way this book describes dating and heterosexual relationships makes me question whether anyone in the straight white millennial dating pool is okay. Like, at all.Â
I may just not be the intended audience, being queer, ace and in my mid-twenties. Still, I sincerely hope I do not turn out like these sad fucking characters once I'm in my thirties.Â
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Here are a few of Nina's observations that felt like fundamental truths to me:
"Dynamics of power always rearrange themselves when you're not watching them."
"I had never known a feeling as unbearable - as sour, wrenching, and unshakeably sad - as pity for a parent."
"I'd noticed this was a thing that people did when they got into their thirties: they saw every personal decision you made as a direct judgement on their lives. If you voted Labour and they voted Lib Dem, they thought you were voting Labour specifically to let them know that their politics were incorrect."
Another aspect of Ghosts that I enjoyed was the relationship dynamics between Nina and her parents. The way that Nina and Nancy deal with Bill's illness was so nuanced and unflinchingly realistic. Adult-child to parent relationships fall onto such a complicated spectrum of feelings. I don't know about you but I rarely find books that explore these relationships beyond two dimensions. But Ghosts fully fleshed out the family dynamics so well.Â
Graphic: Dementia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Toxic friendship
tiemzahra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Deadnaming
Minor: Toxic friendship, Sexism, and Pregnancy
kitty03's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Chronic illness, Dementia, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship