Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

213 reviews

lizzbert's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide

calliegesmundo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide attempt

cristina_reading24's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicide

katiesmooncanvas's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment

aaltsjeh's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

clairebartholomew549's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• 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

5.0

This book grew on me slowly until it became one of my favorites in recent memory. Ann Napolitano immediately takes us into the chaotic, loving, all-encompassing world of the Padavano siblings, and getting William's perspective right away allows us to understand how different William's upbringing is and sets the stage for his struggles and growth throughout the book. Although the book spans decades, it feels grounded, and it takes its time building out the emotions and key relationships and moments. I felt very moved by the sisters' bond and how they tried to stay together despite huge changes and obstacles. This book is loosely based on Little Women, and it gave me a lot of emotions as when I saw Greta Gerwig's rendition: filled to the brim with affection for the characters and their relationships, buoyed by the narrative's revelations about independence and love and family and mental health, and all together profoundly touched.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

kabarranco's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I absolutely ADORED this book. This is a beautifully written novel about tough decisions, intergenerational resilience, trauma, and healing. Napolitano masterfully brings her characters to life, and what truly stands out is how she makes you root for them—even when you hate their choices in the moment. The empathy I felt for each character sort of stunned me. The complexity of their struggles and the way the story explores both the damage and strength passed between generations is profoundly moving — I’m a sucker for an intergenerational trauma, resilience, and healing. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide attempt

reeccees's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Pregnancy and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content

dejah_sowells's review against another edition

Return to library

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

sparklefarm's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Minor: Homophobia and Grief