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kers_tin'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
3.75
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
kelnicash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness and Injury/Injury detail
kate_kathleen'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
5.0
Graphic: Terminal illness and Grief
economydreams's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction
studydniowka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content
samburkhouse'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Excrement
abbie_'s review against another edition
3.5
I'm a fan of Broder's work, and Death Valley is another surreal offering to her repertoire. This one draws a *lot* from Broder's own experience. The main character is an author who is a long-term caregiver for her husband, whose father has just suffered a terrible car accident and is in ICU. All of these things are true for Broder as well, and it's clear from the book that writing this was an incredibly cathartic experience for her.
However, I did see another reviewer (I'm sorry, I forget who!!) point out that this whole book is the MC/author grappling with how *they* feel about their caregiver roles, which sort of makes the people she's caring for seem like a burden. I have no experience being a caregiver but I'm 100% sure it is difficult, but something about this just kept niggling at me the whole way through. Like on the one hand she is entitled to her thoughts and her mental health is valid, but also it came off a touch... selfish?
That being said, it's a compulsive and unique read for sure. Long story short - woman checks into a Best Western for a mental health break, ends up climbing inside a cactus and getting lost in the desert. Lots of reflections and epiphanies along the way, with a nice little dose of humour.
Overall, I would recommend it if you like your storytelling a little surreal and a lot meta!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content
kelleykamanda'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
3.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood and Vomit
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
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
bootsmom3'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
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Blood, and Excrement
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Car accident