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betherinahq's review
- 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
I love how Rachel Joyce has this way of writing such uplifting fiction without being too twee or trite. I think it’s because the main characters, while loveable, carry a sadness with them that we all do with every life experience we unlock.
Like Harold Fry, she uses the “journey” style story to get these two women, who were born in an era where women didn’t travel the world in search for rare beetles, to reconcile their pasts and become empowered.
A really good read!
Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
mtnest's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
At first both women are caricatures, both completely wacky in their own, very different ways. As we learn more of the back story of Margery and Enid, they become sympathetic characters, each having desperation and tragedy in their lives. Their friendship forms gradually as each comes to rely on the other, and they see the real person beneath each other’s shell.
This novel blends madcap adventure with a love story of friendship, and I loved it. One caveat: I felt the subplot of Mr Mundic was a distraction from the real story of Margery and Enid. He deserves a book all to himself.
Graphic: Animal death, Body shaming, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, and Classism
dorsetreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Animal death