Scan barcode
jennlcollier'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: Suicide, Miscarriage, and Animal death
izwit's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Ableism, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
motleybooksandtea's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Infertility
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, War, Stalking, Animal death, and Fatphobia
Minor: Blood
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: Death of parent, Grief, Blood, Classism, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death
lostinthelibrary'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
4.0
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Murder, Fatphobia, Animal death, Blood, and War
backpackingbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The pair complement one another perfectly, with Enid bringing endless optimism and rash/illegal decision-making, while Margery is stoic, rational and practical. While I expected this to be a light, quirky, and witty read, I was surprised to find it took quite a toll on my emotions. While it was action-packed and hilarious in parts, it was also distressing and sad, exploring themes of PTSD, abuse, and neglect. It was character-driven but also had a really strong plotline that, from the outset might sound a little bland (who really cares about beetles? - you will after reading this), but turned out to be fascinating and engaging. It is Margery's vocation to find the beetle and you find yourself rooting for her to achieve her life goal that she, at 46, felt so sure was unattainable.
Female friendship is the biggest theme in this book and I was absolutely here for it. It's one of my favourite themes, even more so if it's an unlikely friendship of two polar opposite personalities. I was even more enamoured by the story and characters after reading the author's note about how this book came to be - definitely stick around for that part as it's so worth reading.
This is the second book I've read by Rachel Joyce and sure won't be my last. As with Harold, there were unforgettable characters, hilarious one-liners, and one big adventure.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 4.5
Writing style/readability - 4.6
Characters - 4.6
Diverse themes - 4.5
Ending - 4.6
Overall - 4.6
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Mental illness
louise010's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs, Homophobia, and Ableism
nicole_k's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Pregnancy, War, Suicide, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Stalking, and Animal death
Minor: Vomit
aargot1's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death, Stalking, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Mental illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide, Gun violence, War, Torture, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia
cassielaj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Blood, Murder, Violence, Gun violence, Miscarriage, War, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Colonisation, and Animal death
Moderate: Suicide, Colonisation, Excrement, Death, Death of parent, and Cursing